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ABRIDGMENT OF 



United States, British and German Patents 







ON ALLOYS 



Covering the Production 



OF 



Platinum Substitutes Including 

Alloys Having Certain of 

the Properties of 

Platinum 



hSL 






MOCK & BLUM 



2j 



ABRIDGMENT OF 

United States, British and German Patents 

-TO/ 

ON ALLOYS 
Covering the Production 



OF 



Platinum Substitutes Including 

Alloys Having Certain of 

the Properties of 

Platinum 



Compiled by 

MOCK & BLUM 
ii 

Patent Lawyers 

220 Broadway 

New York, N. Y. 



Copyright 1918 by Mock &. Blum 



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NOV 22 1918 
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GENERAL PREFACE 

The purpose of this compilation is to provide in con- 
venient form the accumulated technical experience of the 
world in providing alloys that may be used as substitutes 
for platinum. We have not confined this list literally to 
substitutes for platinum as we have included all alloys 
which are suitable for the manufacture of anti-corrosive 
and acid-resisting chemical ware which in many cases 
was hardly ever made of platinum on account of its costli- 
ness. 

Experience shows that patents are applied for on nearly 
all valuable ideas and that the patents of the United 
States, Great Britain and Germany include practically all 
the important contributions to progress, because even if a 
valuable idea originates in some other country, it is ordi- 
narily patented in one or more of those countries, because 
of their dominant industrial position. 

As none of the Patent Offices of these countries have at- 
tempted to index or classify their patents for the particu- 
lar purposes of this compilation, it is believed to be the 
first compilation of its kind. 

Following the principal uses of platinum, we have classi- 
fied the patents along the lines indicated in the general 
index and have prepared separate prefaces for each divi- 
sion of our work. 

All United States patents more than seventeen years 
old, and all foreign patents which were not duplicated in 
this country are open to free public use. We have also in- 
cluded the characteristic claims of existing important 
United States patents so as to give an approximate idea 
of their scope. 

3 



Every effort has been made to include all pertinent mat- 
ter and it is believed that a mine of valuable information 
is herein offered to the technical world. 

Whenever an assignment of a United States Patent, still 
in force, appears on the face thereof, we have included this 
information. 



Mock & Blum 



New York, October, 1918. 
Hugo Mock. 
Asher Blum. 



SUMMARY OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

General Preface 3 

General Index 315 

Preface to Class 1 7 

Class 1. Alloys for chemical ware 9 

a. Patents nearest to point 9 

b. Suggestive patents 73 

Preface to Class 2 121 

Class 2. Leading-in wires for incandescent 

lamps, Crookes tubes, etc 122 

Preface to Class 3 154 

Class 3. Alloys which do not readily melt or oxi- 
dize, and are suitable for electric purposes .... 154 

a. Patents nearest in point 155 

b. Suggestive patents 233 

Preface to Class 4 274 

Class 4. White jewelry alloys having the color 

and some of the properties of platinum ........ 274 

a. Alloys containing precious metals 275 

b. Alloys of non-precious metals .... 277 
Preface to Class 5 287 

Class 5. Dental alloys 299 

a. Patents nearest in point 300 



PREFACE TO CLASS 1 

This class embraces those alloys which can replace plati- 
num in the manufacture of articles extremely resistant to 
acids. In this class are included all alloys which resist the 
action of acids or corrosion and are applicable to articles 
which have hitherto not been made of platinum, such as 
valves and pumps, though they are in a sense platinum sub- 
stitutes. There is a direct connection between this class 
and Class 3 in that the alloys which have extreme resistance 
to acids, also have a high resistance to oxidation, even at 
high temperatures. Thus, as is mentioned in German 
Patent #281,784, on page 271, the alloys which are al- 
most completely resistant to oxidizing acids only require 
a small amount of platinum to make them suitable for ap- 
paratus which produces electric discharges or sparks. 

The earlier U. S. patentsi ignore the properties of the 
metals of the chromium group. 

Gesner patent #604,5S0 is very interesting as it de- 
pends upon an alloy of iron and hydrogen. 

The Haynes patent #873,745 is the first U. S. patent 
still in force to use chromium. 

U. S. patents #937,284 and #937,285 do not use chro- 
mium, but disclose a rather expensive alloy embodying a 
large amount of gold. U. S. patent #943,066 snows a 
cheap alloy comprising only manganese and nickel. 

The British patents in this class largely correspond to 
the U. S. patents. However, they are interesting in that 
they show the use of chromium, tungsten, etc., for anti-acid 
alloys, long before the later U. S. patents. For example : 
British patent #1,923 of 1872, on page 98, shows a steel 
alloy having more than 30 per cent, of chromium, as well 



as about 11*4 per cent, of tungsten. No. 3,233 of 1884, on 
page 102, also shows the use of alloys containing chro- 
mium. The early U. S. patents such as #81,576 on page 73, 
also disclose alloys such as gold-silver, nickel-copper, or 
aluminium, or combinations of the above, on which addi- 
tional patents were later taken out. In particular, U. S. 
patent. #573,615 shows the use of chromium for alloys 
intended to be resistant against acids and oxidation. 

Valuable ideas are further disclosed by these expired 
patents, which are free to public use. Attention is also 
called to U. S. patent #1,236,384, which according to law 
is open to free public use by any person in this country. 

It is believed that practically all the patents in Class 
3 should be read in connection with this class, although 
every effort has been made to cross-index them properly 



U. S. PATENTS 

Class 1-A 
100,391, Sibert, March 15, AS70 

This alloy is composed of manganic steel, copper, zinc, 
and manganese. 

To produce an alloy representing gold, I use one part 
of manganic steel, three-fourths part of copper, five-eighths 
part of zinc, and five eighths part of powdered manganese. 

To resemble silver, I take one part of manganic steel, 
one-sixteenth part of copper, seven-eighths part of zinc, 
and one-half part of powdered manganese. 

^Representations of other metals may be produced by 
varying the proportions. These alloys are not affected by 
the action of acids. 

Common steel or iron first alloyed with manganese may 
be used instead of manganic steel. 

In compounding, I take the molten iron or steel from 
the reducing-furnace into a receiver, and then mix in the 
copper, zinc, and manganese, keeping it well agitated. 
Silica may be used either in the reduction of the ore or in 
the receiver. Any of the carbonates, borax, or nitrate of 
potassa may be used as a flux. 

397,699, Cowles et al, Feb. 12, 1>$89 

This invention relates to metallic alloys and it consists 
in the combination of the metals hereinafter specified. 
In carrying out our invention we take of : 

Parts 

Copper 63,333 

Nickel 33,333 

Aluminium 3,333 

99,999 



These we fuse together in a crucible, so that they may be 
thoroughly mixed and alloyed. 

In order to secure the best possible result and prevent 
the formation of oxides, powdered carbon or common salt 
may be spread over the metals in the crucible, so as to 
cover them and exclude the air. The resulting alloy is a 
new compound, which we have chosen to designate "Her- 
cules metal" on account of its great strength, toughness, 
and resilience. This metal is the strongest known to the 
arts, and castings of it average over 100,000 pounds to the 
square inch in tensile strength, which is considerably more 
than the best grades of iron or steel. 

The alloy when thus prepared and free from impurities 
compares favorably in hardness with the best tempered 
steel. It is also untarnishable, and is not affected by sul- 
phur or acids to any appreciable extent. 

604,580, Gemer, May 24, 18$8 

An alloy of iron and hydrogen is very stable and has 
extraordinary properties in resisting oxidation and corro- 
sion. It is unaffected even by sulphuric acid or aqua regia. 

Number 1 iron, or preferably scrap iron or steel at the 
highest temperature attainable, is introduced into a con- 
verter having a false bottom, and hydrogen is then blown 
up through the melted mass on the false bottom. 

After this is done, jets of hydrogen and naphtha vapor 
are circulated through the molten mass, and then hydro- 
gen is alone introduced until the flame at the top has a 
yellow color, which shows that the iron has ceased to ab- 
sorb the hydrogen. 

This alloy can be forged and rolled like wrought iron. 

6J t 2,320, Gesner, Jan, 30, 1900 

An alloy of iron and hydrogen is made by passing thin 
sheet iron through a furnace in an atmosphere of hydrogen. 
The temperature should be about 1800° F. The alloy is 
beaten off from the core of unalloyed iron, the scales of 

10 



alloy are heated to a temperature a little below that of 
ordinary melted iron, and the semi-liquid matter may be 
cast in sand or in solid moulds like iron or steel, The 
iron is also treated with naphtha vapors in the furnace, to 
carry away oxygen. 

818,01,1,, Parfitt, April 11, 1906 

This relates to a compound which has improved non- 
oxidizing powers, and does not become affected in the pres- 
ence of strong solutions of sulphuric acid and similar cor- 
rodents. 

Iron is melted and decarbonized to contain as low a 
grade of carbon as possible without forming oxides, the 
body of molten metal not containing more than 0.1 per cent, 
of carbon. 

To this 0.5 per cent, of aluminium and 0.3 per cent, of 
tungsten are added. Manganese, nickel, and tin may also 
be employed either separately or together. 

I claim : 

In the manufacture of metallic compounds, in 
which decarbonized iron is the basic or principal constitu- 
ent, the process which consists in melting the iron, treat- 
ing the latter so as to produce a resultant product con- 
taining not more than 0.1 per cent, of carbon, and adding to 
the metal metallic aluminium and metallic tungsten. 



x &'~ 



$56,392, Chambaud, June 11, 1907 

The object of this invention is a new aluminium alloy 
and the process employed in its manufacture. 

Numerous alloys of aluminium are already known, but 
the alloy which is the subject of this invention is dis- 
tinguished from those hitherto obtained by the nature and 
proportions of its constituent materials. These propor- 
tions are of considerable importance in that they give to 
the alloy particular and eminently characteristic qualities 
which are indicated below. The proportions of its con- 
stituent elements are as follows : Aluminium, 99.020 per 

11 



cent. ; iron, 0.310 per cent. ; zinc, 0.010 per cent. ; mag- 
nesium, .041 per cent. ; copper, 0.610 per cent. The remain- 
ing 0.009 per cent, is comprised of the silica which is found 
in the aluminium. 

The new metal is a white silvery compound, of which 
the density does not exceed 2.7. It is very elastic, malleable 
and ductile, and more tenacious than copper. This metal 
beats out, embosses, hammers, bends, wire-draws, and 
welds very easily. It can be worked without the use of 
special tools. This alloy furthermore possesses great ten- 
sile strength and is not substantially oxidizable in air or 
water. It is particularly useful in cases where it is ex- 
posed to the action of sea water, which it has been found 
to successfully resist. In addition the new metal is not 
seriously attacked by any acid with the exception of hydro- 
chloric acid. 

To obtain the metal, the following process is employed : 
About 20 per cent, of the aluminium to be employed is 
first melted down in a suitable bath and when the tempera- 
ture has reached about 750° C, the copper is added; when 
the fusion of this last metal is complete, the zinc is added 
and afterward the iron. After the complete fusion of this 
mixture the remaining 80 per cent, of the aluminium is 
added. The fluid mass is then withdrawn from the fire 
and the magnesium is incorporated with it. 

Having now particularly described and ascertained the 
nature of my said invention and in what manner the same 
is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is : 

1. An aluminium alloy having the following propor- 
tions: Aluminium, about 99.020 per cent.; iron, 0.310 per 
cent. ; zinc, 0.010 per cent. ; magnesium, 0.041 per cent. ; 
copper, 0.610 per cent., substantially as described. 

2. The process of manufacture of aluminium alloy con- 
sisting in first melting about 20 per cent, of the aluminium 
to be employed, and when the temperature has reached 
about 750° C, in adding copper, and when the fusion of 
this last metal is complete in adding zinc, and afterward 

12 



iron, and after the complete fusion of this mixture, in add- 
ing the remaining 80 per cent, of the aluminium, and 
finally, in incorporating magnesium when the fluid mass 
is withdrawn from the fire as substantially described. 

$78,745, Haynes, Dec. 17, 1907 

This invention relates to a novel metal alloy designed 
for use in the manufacture of articles requiring a high 
and durable luster, and possessing a degree of hardness 
adapting it to be substituted for mild tempered steel. 

Among the objects of my invention is to produce a com- 
mercially practical metal alloy having the properties above 
set forth and which is capable of being forged, hammered 
or otherwise worked into various forms of instruments and 
articles, and which is highly adapted, among other uses, as 
a substitute for steel and other metals which have been 
heretofore plated in order to provide a suitable luster and 
resist the oxidizing and corrosive action of the atmosphere 
and fumes commonly occurring in the atmosphere; and 
also to provide an alloy that is capable of being substituted 
in many cases for the rare and highly expensive metals 
comprising the so-called polyxene group, including plati- 
num, rhodium, irridium, palladium and osmium. 

An alloy made in accordance with my invention is com- 
posed of chromium or other metal of the chromium group 
having properties like chromium, when considered with 
respect to the peculiar properties of my novel alloy, com- 
bined with cobalt in the proportions substantially as here- 
inafter specified. The metals included in the chromium 
group to which reference has been made embraces, in ad- 
dition to chromium, tungsten, molybdenum and uranium. 
While I may employ other metals of the chromium group 
than chromium, my experiments up to the present time 
have led me to prefer the latter metal as possessing the 
most desirable qualities of a constituent of my alloy for 
the purposes and uses intended, though it may be found 
for different uses other metals of the chromium group 
may be used as a constituent of the alloy. 

13 



I have discovered that an alloy may be produced In- 
fusing together chromium and cobalt, in the proportions 
substantially as hereinafter specified, having such proper- 
ties as will enable it to receive an extremely lustrous pol- 
ish, rivaling silver in this respect, and which is capable 
of resisting oxidation and all form of corrosive fumes 
commonly occurring in the atmosphere, and showing no 
tendency to tarnish when exposed to the atmosphere of a 
chemical laboratory for a long period of time, and even 
retaining its brilliantly polished surface when subjecting 
it to boiling nitric acid. By reason of these and other 
properties of the alloy it may be substituted for many of 
the metals of what is termed the polyxene group herein- 
before referred to. For example, my alloy may be used 
in the manufacture of standards of weight and measures 
and analogous purposes which have heretofore been made 
of platinum and irridium, with the result of possessing all 
the practical advantages of those metals at an immensely 
reduced cost to produce the same. I have also discovered, 
as an additional valuable property of this alloy, that it 
possesses a degree of hardness and elasticity which is fully 
equal to that of mild tempered steel and may be formed 
into edge tools having cutting qualities closely compar 
able to tools made of tempered steel. I have found that the 
alloy may be best worked into forms of utility when raised 
to the temperature of red heat. 

In order that the alloy shall most advantageously 
possess the qualities above described, it is necessary that 
the constituent metals be substantially pure and especially 
that they shall be free from carbon, sulphur and like sub- 
stances which seriously interfere with the non-tarnishing 
properties of the alloy. An alloy of chromium and cobalt 
which I have found to possess the aforesaid properties in 
varying degrees contains from 10 to 60 per cent, of chro- 
mium, together with a corresponding variation of cobalt. 
For instance, I have found that an alloy consisting of 
substantially 10 per cent, of chromium and 90 per cent, 
cobalt, is capable of taking a satisfactory cutting edge, is 

14 



hard while not brittle, but is not so resistive to corrosion 
as an alloy containing from 25 to 30 per cent, of chro- 
mium, while an alloy including the latter and somewhat 
higher proportions of chromium, are better suited to edged 
tools and like implements. I have found that pure carbon- 
less chromium is very difficult to fuse, and the methods 
hereinafter referred to are the only ones of which I am 
aware that may be successfully practiced in the produc- 
tion of alloys containing more than 20 per cent, of chro- 
mium and ranging from that proportion to 60 per cent. 
Chromium containing a substantial percentage of carbon 
may be fused under lower temperatures, but the presence 
of the carbon is highly objectionable inasmuch as it does 
not take the high luster of the pure chromium alloy and 
is more readily tarnished. I desire it to be understood, 
however, that I may combine small quantities of other sub- 
stances with the alloy described such as will not objection- 
ably effect the nature of the binary alloy for the purposes 
stated. 

I have produced the alloy of chromium and cobalt by 
three different methods or processes. One method or 
process consists in placing the pure metals, chromium and 
cobalt, in a magnesia crucible, which crucible is placed in 
a furnace lined with magnesia and the crucible heated by 
an oxyhydrogen flame. The metals may be fused in a 
crucible of similar character and construction heated by 
an electric arc. The third method of fusing the metals to 
alloy the same consists in mixing the oxide of chromium 
with the required proportion of oxide of cobalt and there- 
after mixing these two oxides intimately with metallic 
aluminium preferably in the form of powder. Thereafter 
this mixture is introduced into a crucible lined with mag- 
nesia or alumina, and the mixture is either heated until 
decomposition takes place or is ignited cold and the metals 
are reduced to the metallic state and at the same time fused 
to a regulus by the extremely high temperature thus pro- 
duced. 



15 



I claim as my invention : 

1. A metal alloy composed of a metal of the chromium 
group and cobalt. 

2. A metal alloy composed of cobalt and more than 10 
per cent, of a metal of the chromium group. 

$73,V f 6, Hatjnes, Dec. 11, 1907 

This invention relates to a novel metal alloy designed 
for use in the manufacture of articles requiring a high 
and durable luster and enduring and permanent qualities, 
such as is required in metals from which are made stand- 
ards of weight, measures, and like uses, and possessing a 
degree of hardness and elasticity adapting it to be used in 
the manufacture of tools and implements requiring a mod- 
erately sharp cutting edge. 

Among the objects of my invention is to produce a 
commercially practical metal alloy having the properties 
above set forth and which is capable of being forged, ham- 
mered or otherwise worked into various forms of instru- 
ments and articles, and which is highly adapted, among 
other uses, as a substitute for metals which have been 
heretofore plated in order to provide a suitable luster and 
resist the oxidizing and corrosive action of the normal 
fumes of atmosphere and fumes of abnormal atmospheres 
occurring in chemical laboratories, manufacturing estab- 
lishments and like places. 

An alloy made in accordance with my invention is com- 
posed of chromium or other metal of the chromium group 
having properties like chromium, when considered with 
respect to the peculiar properties of my novel alloy, com- 
bined with nickel in the proportions substantially as here- 
inafter specified. The metals included in the chromium 
group to which reference has been made embraces, in addi- 
tion to chromium, tungsten, molybdenum and uranium. 
While I may employ other metals of the chromium group 
than chromium, my experiments up to present time have 
led me to prefer the latter metal as possessing the most de- 

16 



sirable qualities of a constituent of my alloy for the pur- 
poses and uses intended, though it may be found for differ- 
ent uses other metals of the chromium group may be used 
as a constituent of the alloy. 

T have discovered that au alloy may be produced by fus- 
ing together chromium and nickel, in the proportions sub- 
stantially as hereinafter specified, having such properties 
as will enable it to receive a high lustrous polish and 
which is capable of resisting oxidation and all form of 
corrosive fumes commonly occurring in the atmosphere, 
and showing no tendency to tarnish when exposed to the 
atmosphere of a chemical laboratory for a long period of 
time, and even retaining its brilliantly polished surface 
when subjecting it to boiling nitric acid. I have also dis- 
covered, as an additional property of this alloy, that it is 
sufficiently hard and elastic to enable it to be used in the 
manufacture of tools and implements which require a 
moderately sharp edge and is also adaptable for various 
instruments used by surgeons, dentists and for many other 
uses where untarnishability is a requisite. I have found 
that the alloy may be best worked cold. My alloy is also 
capable of substitution for many of the rare and expensive 
metals of what is known as the polyxene group in the man- 
ufacture of standards of weight and measure and other 
articles and instruments for scientific uses demanding 
great durability and untarnishability. 

In order that the alloy shall most advantageously possess 
the qualities above enumerated, it is necessary that the 
constituent metals be substantially pure and especially 
that they shall be free from carbon, sulphur and like sub- 
stances which seriously interfere with the non-tarnishing 
properties of the alloy. An alloy of chromium and nickel 
which I have found to possess the aforesaid properties in 
varying degrees contains from 30 to 60 per cent, of chro- 
mium, together with a corresponding variation of the 
nickel. The addition of chromium above the lower per- 
centage mentioned adds to the hardness of the alloy and 
also increases its resistance to tarnishability. I have 

17 



found that pure carbonless chromium is very difficult to 
fuse, and the methods hereinafter referred to are the only 
ones of which I am aware that may he successfully prac- 
ticed in the production of alloys containing more than 30 
per cent, of chromium and ranging from that proportion 
to 60 per cent. Chromium containing a substantial per- 
centage of carbon may be fused under lower temperatures, 
but the presence of the carbon is highly objectionable 
inasmuch as it does not take the high luster of the pure 
chromium alloy and is more readily tarnished. I desire 
it to be understood, however, that I may combine small 
quantities of other substances with the alloy described 
such as will not objectionably affect the nature of the 
binary alloy for the purposes stated. 

I have produced the alloy of chromium and nickel by 
three different methods or processes. One method or 
process consists in placing the pure metals, chromium and 
nickel, in a magnesia crucible, which crucible is placed in 
a furnace lined with magnesia and the crucible heated by 
an oxyhydrogen flame. The metals may be fused in a 
crucible of similar character and construction heated by 
an electric arc. The third method of fusing the metals to 
alloy the same consists in mixing the oxide of chromium, 
with the required proportion of oxide of nickel and there- 
after mixing these two oxides intimately with metallic alu- 
minium preferably in the form of powder. Thereafter, this 
mixture is introduced into a crucible lined with magnesia 
or alumina, and the mixture is either heated until decom- 
position takes place or is ignited cold and the metals are 
reduced to the metallic state and at the same time fused 
to a regulus by the extremely high temperature thus pro- 
duced. 

I claim as my invention : 

1. A metal alloy composed of nickel and more than 
30 per cent, of a metal of the chromium group. 



IS 



&%17S, Wortche, May 12, 1908 

My invention relates to a composition of matter which 
is capable of extensive use for a great variety of purposes 
in many different arts. The primary object being, how- 
ever, to provide valve disks, seats or packings in their 
nature somewhat elastic, and which will be indestructible 
upon contact of steam of any kind, oils, hot and cold water 
and the like, and other fluids of a destructive nature. 

I prefer to use the following formula : 90 per cent, lead, 
10 per cent, antimony. The lead used in my composition 
is of the ordinary kind, having a specific gravity of about 
11.36 and an atomic weight of about 205.35; the antimony 
may be either amorphous or crystalline, and ordinarily 
has a specific gravity of 6.7 and an atomic weight of about 
120. At this gravity and weight the antimony is easily 
fused with the lead. 

For the purpose of obtaining a hard composition, for 
indestructible packing, and the like, to withstand the con- 
tact of steam, oils, acids, alkalies, and which will effectively 
resist the passage of fluids under high pressure, and will 
successfully withstand for a long period of time the ac- 
tion of such fluids, even though the temperature thereof 
may be high, that will be impervious to the attacks of the 
acids and alkalies, I have found it more advantageous to 
use SO per cent, lead and 20 per cent, antimony. A com- 
position possessing such high resistance qualities, is ad- 
mirably adapted for a great variety of purposes and par- 
ticularly for that of valve construction, conveying super- 
heated steam under high pressure and temperatures that 
are employed in modern industries. 

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as 
new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: 

1. A valve seat composed of an alloy containing lead 
and antimony, substantially as described. 

2. A valve seat composed of an alloy containing 90 per 
cent, lead and 10 per cent, antimony, substantially as de- 
scribed. 

19 



901 42$, Dempster (Assigned to General Electric Co.) 

Oct. 20, 1908 

This invention relates to the production of an alloy hav- 
ing certain valuable properties adapting it to a wide range 
of uses. It is heat refractory to an extraordinary degree 
and does not easily oxidize when subjected to a prolonged 
red heat in the atmosphere. It resists the action of mois- 
ture and is very acid proof, being insoluble in even con- 
centrated mineral acids, boiling strong" aqua regia being 
required for its solution. It has a high electrical resistiv- 
ity, which adapts it well for electric heating and rheostat 
work since it withstands a red heat for a long continued 
service, and although under such conditions, it oxidizes 
slowly, the oxide is coherent and does not materially 
change its conductivity. 

In the best composition I have thus far used, the alloy 
is composed approximately of 

62 parts (by weight) nickel, 

20 " iron, 

13 " chromium, 

5 " manganese. 

The manganese is present in a sufficiently large propor- 
tion to lend its properties as a metal, the amount being 
more than sufficient to aid in the formation of the alloy. 

An alloy containing 

62.040 parts (by weight) nickel, 

20.164 " iron, 

12.630 " chromium, 

4.910 " manganese, 

.130 " silicon, 

.040 " carbon, 

.021 " phosphorus, 

produces a metal capable of being rolled and drawn into 
extremely fine wire or ribbon having a resistivity of 1 17 

20 



microhms per cubic centimeter or seventy times that of 
pure copper. The alloy may be prepared in a powerful 
~ furnace, such as an oil furnace, and thei: worked in the 
ordinary way by rolling and drawing. 

It will be understood, of course, that I do not limit my 
invention to the specific materials and proportions thereof 
herein set forth except in so far as it is limited by the scope 
of the claims annexed hereto. 

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 
Patent of the United States, is : 

1. An alloy containing iron, nickel, ohvcmium and a 
manganese content exceeding 3 per cent., the iron content 
not exceeding 50 per cent. 

2. An alloy containing iron, nickel, chromium, and a 
manganese content exceeding 3 per cent., the nickel being 
in excess of the other ingredients. 

See U. S. Patent 926,980 on page 163. 
See U. S. Patent 937,284 on page 165. 
See II. S. Patent. 937,285 on page 167. 
See U. S. Patent 943,066 on page 169. 

964J22, Riibel, July 12, 1910 

The present invention relates to a new method of pro- 
ducing metal alloys — especially those composed chiefly of 
copper and zinc — containing elements of those metals such 
as chromium, manganese, tungsten and vanadium which 
has less affinity for chlorin than zinc has at the fusing 
temperature of the chloride of such metal. Such alloys 
are of high technical value and may be produced by this 
method at a relatively low cost. 

The invention also relates to a compound to be used in 
the production of alloys of the character referred to. At 
the present time much difficulty is experienced, in the pro- 
duction of such alloys; and to alloy such metals as chro- 
mium, manganese, tungsten or vanadium with copper and 
zinc, has been found very difficult. 

21 



In carrying out my invention I first form a compound 
of the particular metal with zinc and then melt the alloy 
thus formed with the copper or other metal. 

The first compound is obtained by melting a chloride of 
the particular metal with a proper proportion of zinc. 
For example, to produce an alloy containing chromium, 
chromium chloride in the proper proportion to produce 
the desired percentage of chromium in the final alloy is 
melted with zinc and the chromium liberated is alloyed in 
a nascent state with the zinc present in excess. The. 
chromium-zinc compound thus produced is melted with an 
amount of copper or other metal proportional to the per- 
centage of chromium desired. For example, to produce 
100 kgs. of chromium-bronze, 3.2 kgs. of chromium chlo- 
ride may be alloyed with 40 kgs. of zinc. The chromium- 
zinc compound thus obtained is added to 57 kgs. of copper. 
For a manganese-bronze 2.5 kgs. of manganese chloride 
(MnCl 2 ) may be melted with the zinc and this compound 
may be added to a proportionate amount of copper. The 
particular proportions may, however, be varied within 
wide limits according to the desired percentage of the 
chromium or manganese desired in the final alloy. Thus 
to produce 4 per cent, of chromium or manganese in the 
bronze the chromium chloride would be increased to 10 
kgs. and the manganese chloride to 12.8 kgs. These 
amounts, it will be understood, are for producing 100 kgs. 
of the final zinc-copper alloy. 

Under this process chlorides may be added up to 5 per 
cent, of the metal containing the chloride without requir- 
ing heating above the melting point of the copper. 

An alloy produced by this process and containing 1 per 
cent, of chromium or manganese, fifty-eight parts of cop- 
per and forty parts of zinc, has a strength of 58 kilos, 
with a limit of elasticity of 29 kilos., and extensibility of 
from 18 to 20 per cent. An addition of about 2 per cent, 
of aluminium will greatly accelerate the reduction of the 
chlorides. In thus compounding the zinc with the chlo- 
rides of the manganese, chromium, or other metal, chlo- 
rirle of zinc is produced and this is of special advantage. 

22 



In casting all alloys containing' a certain quantity of 
zinc, oxide of zinc is produced and this forms accumula- 
tions and frequently produces loose, spongy places in the 
walls of the casting. The chloride of zinc that is produced 
in my process dissolves this oxide of zinc, so that much 
better castings are obtained. 

As chlorides of chromium, manganese and tungsten are 
very inexpensive compared with the pure metals, the alloys 
containing those metals can be produced by my process at 
much less expense than has heretofore been possible. The 
alloys of chromium and manganese are especially im- 
portant. They present great strength at ordinary tem- 
peratures, and do not lose their strength when heated to a 
high temperature. The chromium alloys also exhibit 
great resistance to chemical agents, because the chromium 
is reduced from a chloride and is alloyed in statu naseendi 
with the zinc ; it is hardly attacked by such agents as sul- 
phuric, nitric and hydrochloric acids. Copper- zinc alloys 
containing chromium and manganese when produced by 
present methods do not have this power of resistance to 
the action of chemicals, because the chromium or manga- 
nese reduced in accordance with the Goldschmidt process 
or with carbon do not possess any neutrality to acids. 

What I claim is as follows : 

1. The process of producing alloys which consists in 
first forming a compound of zinc and a chloride of a metal 
having a less affinity for chlorine than zinc ha^ at the fus- 
ing temperature of such chloride, and then melting said 
zinc chloride compound with another metal. 

1,019,963, Jacquier, March 12, 1912 

This invention relates to a new or improved alloy or 
metallic compound which is capable of resisting the corro- 
sive action of sulphuric acid, cyanide solution, etc. 

The alloy can be used for the manufacture of pipes, 
tanks, taps, valves, screens, cables, ropes, skeps, cages and 
similar vehicles, pumps and other machinery or appli- 

23 



ances used in mining or other industries which it is desir- 
able to protect from the corrosive action of liquids with 
which they come in contact. The articles which it is de- 
sired to render acid resistant can be made entirely of my 
improved alloy, or can be suitably coated or lined either 
internally or externally or both with the alloy. 

My improved alloy or metallic compound is composed 
of aluminium, bismuth, copper and silicon or magnesium 
which are used in the following proportions, more or less : 
aluminium, 92 per cent.; bismuth, 2 per cent; copper, 5 
per cent. ; silicon, 1 per cent., or aluminium, 91 per cent. ; 
bismuth, 2 per cent. ; copper, 5 per cent. ; magnesium, 2 
per cent. 

In manufacturing the alloy the bismuth, copper and sili- 
con or magnesium are placed in a crucible and melted to- 
gether, and to the resultant alloy, while still molten, is 
added the aluminium, which has previously been melted. 

By suitably varying the proportions of the ingredients 
the degree of hardness and other properties of the product 
can be varied. 

What I claim as my invention and desire to protect by 
Letters Patent is : 

1. An anti-corrosive alloy or metallic compound con- 
sisting of aluminium, bismuth, copper and silicon, as set 
forth. 

2. An anti-corrosive alloy or metallic compound con- 
sisting of approximately 92 per cent, of aluminium, 2 per 
cent, of bismuth, 5 per cent, of copper, and 1 per cent, of 
silicon, as set forth. 

1,043,579, Eldred (Assigned to Commercial Research Co.), 

Nov. 5, 1912 

This relates to a crucible or other chemical vessel of 
platinum, gold or other noble metal having cored walls 
containing a reinforcing core layer of a ferrous metal 

24 



welded to the surrounding noble metal and hermetically 
sealed in thereby. 

The platinum or similar noble metal are united to form 
a compound billet as indicated in U. S. Patents Nos. 1,- 
043,5771,043,578, etc., and this billet is rolled, etc., to 
form sheets from which complete articles may be stamped 
out or otherwise formed. It is preferable to stamp or spin 
the sheet metal. A dish so stamped or spun will present 
an exposed edge of steel or iron at its mouth where the 
compound plate has been cut. This exposed edge is cov- 
ered by drawing or working the noble metal from the 
two sides until the two sides contact, and then subjecting 
this contacting line to an intense heat until an autogenous 
union is formed. A core of pure iron is preferred. 

I claim : 

1. A chemical crucible comprising a surface of a layer of 
a noble metal and a core layer of ferrous metal completely 
enveloped and hermetically sealed in by such surface layer, 
said surface layer being welded to said ferrous metal. 

1,051, 82S, Elwood Hmjnes, April 1, 1913 

This invention relates to a metal alloy more particu- 
larly designed for use in the manufacture of articles, such 
as tools or cutting implements, wherein are required the 
qualities of hardness, toughness and elasticity, together 
with the capacity of taking a high polish and receiving and 
retaining a sharp cutting edge. 

In my prior Patent No. 873,745, issued December 17, 
1907, I have described a binary alloy, consisting of cobalt 
and chromium, or other metal of the chromium group al- 
lied with chromium, or having properties like those of 
chromium ; such metals of the chromium group embracing, 
in addition to chromium, tungsten, molybdenum and 
uranium. The binary alloy described in said patent 
possesses a high degree of hardness and toughness adapt- 
ing it for use in the manufacture of edged tools, cutlery 

25 



and the like, has a high degree of resistance to oxidization 
and the corrosive action of the atmosphere and fumes 
occurring therein, and is capable of being forged, ham- 
mered, or otherwise worked into various forms of instru- 
ments and articles. 

I have discovered that quaternary alloys, consisting of 
cobalt and three metals of the chromium group, possess 
particular value and qualities in many respects superior to 
those of the binary alloy set forth in said patent above 
mentioned. I have discovered, moreover, that such quat- 
ernary alloys possess very valuable properties when com- 
posed of cobalt, chromium, tungsten and molybdenum. 

An alloy made in accordance with my invention is com- 
posed of cobalt, chromium and two of the other metals of 
the chromium group, combined in the proportions substan- 
tially as hereinafter specified. The metals included in 
the chromium group, to which reference has been made, 
embrace, in addition to chromium, tungsten, molybdenum 
and uranium. My experiments up to the present time 
have led me to prefer, of the metals of the chromium 
group, tungsten and molybdenum, as possessing the most 
desirable qualities as constituents of my alloy for the gen- 
eral purposes and uses intended, although it may be found 
that for different uses the other metal of the chromium 
group, to wit, uranium, may be employed to advantage, 
as one of the constituents of the alloy. An alloy of cobalt, 
chromium, tungsten and molybdenum, which I have found 
to possess the desired properties for many articles or uses, 
contains chromium in a percentage of 15 per cent, or less, 
and tungsten and molybdenum together in a percentage 
of 15 per cent, or less. Such quaternary alloys may be 
readily forged at a red heat. Moreover, by using a con- 
siderable amount of care an alloy containing 65 per cent, 
of cobalt, 15 per cent, of chromium and 20 per cent, of 
tungsten and molybdenum can be forged to a considerable 
degree. All such quaternary alloys possess valuable prop- 
erties in addition to those of the binary, or cobalt and 
chromium alloys, for many purposes, on account of the 

26 



tungsten and molybdenum constituents, which give to the 
alloy increased hardness and toughness, as well as a 
superior capacity to receive a sharp cutting edge and to 
retain the same under the most severe usage. 

In a quaternary alloy of cobalt, chromium, tungsten 
and molybdenum, if the chromium constituent equals 25 
per cent, and the tungsten and molybdenum together be 
present in the proportion of 5 per cent., the alloy is par- 
ticularly suitable for wood-cutting tools, table knives and 
other cutlery. Such an alloy forges readily, shows a fine 
fracture, is very strong and elastic, and takes a fine cut- 
ting edge. Moreover, this alloy possesses the desirable 
qualities of the cobalt-chromium alloy described in my 
prior Patent No. 873,745 in being capable of taking a high 
and durable luster, and of resisting the oxidizing and cor- 
rosive fumes commonly occurring in the atmosphere. 

If in a quaternary alloy of cobalt, chromium, tungsten 
and molybdenum, the tungsten and molybdenum constitu- 
ents together be increased from 15 per cent, to say, 50 per 
cent., the alloy becomes harder with increasing percentage 
of tungsten and molybdenum, and the same cannot be suc- 
cessfully forged after the last named constituents exceed 
25 per cent. A quaternary alloy, containing from 25 per 
cent, to 50 per cent, of tungsten and molybdenum, and 15 
per cent, of chromium, the remainder being cobalt, makes 
excellent lathe tools, possessing to a high degree the quali- 
ties of hardness, toughness and capacity of receiving and 
retaining a very sharp cutting edge. I have found that 
such lathe tools possess hardness, toughness and cutting 
qualities to a degree making them much superior to any 
steel lathe tools now produced. Moreover, such alloy is 
found to be capable of resisting to a large degree the corro- 
sive action of moisture and the atmosphere. When the 
tungsten and molybdenum constituents together exceed 
25 per cent., the alloy becomes sufficiently hard to readily 
scratch glass, and will even mark or score rock crystal. 
When the tungsten and molybdenum constituents taken 
together, are present in percentages of 25 to 50 per cent. 

27 



of the total, the quaternary alloy, while not capable of 
being forged, may be readily fused, and lathe tools or other 
articles may be readily made by casting the same in the 
desired form and finishing by a suitable grinding opera- 
tion. When the tungsten and molybdenum constituents in 
the quaternary alley together exceed 50 per cent., the alloy 
becomes very difficult to fuse, or fuses under very high 
temperatures, such as are usually obtainable only by the 
use of the electric arc, but the alloy containing such higher 
percentages of these metals, while somewhat brittle, makes 
excellent lathe tools. 

In the quaternary alloys containing both molybdenum 
and tungsten, the same general conditions and character- 
istics are found to exist with varying proportions of these 
constituents; excepting that the increase in the percentage 
of molybdenum has a greater effect than an increase in the 
tungsten constituent, in lessening the capacity of the alloy 
to undergo the operation of forging. If the molybdenum 
constituent in such alloy exceeds 25 per cent., the alloy 
is made very hard, and if the proportion of molybdenum 
does not exceed 30 per cent, and the proportion of tung- 
sten is relatively small, the alloy is not only very hard but 
likewise very tough and strong, and may be used with 
great advantage for lathe tools. When the percentage 
of molybdenum is as high as 40 per cent, or more, the alloy 
becomes exceedingly hard and quite brittle. It will cut 
persistently into glass, and a sharp corner of the metal, 
when drawn back and forth over the surface of a quartz 
crystal, will rapidly cut a deep groove in that material. 

In the quaternary alloys of cobalt, chromium, tungsten 
and molybdenum, an increase in the percentage of the 
chromium constituent will give greater hardness and 
brittleness to these alloys, even when they contain the 
tungsten and molybdenum in the lower percentages. I 
have found, however, that the alloys described, possess 
considerable toughness when the chromium constituent is 
present to the extent of as much as 40 per cent., and if the 
tungsten and molybdenum constituents be low, that alloys 

28 



useful for practical purposes may contain even a higher 
percentage of chromium. In view of the fact, however, 
that an increase of the percentage, either of the chromium 
constituent, or of the tungsten and molybdenum constitu- 
ents tends to render the alloy more brittle, a smaller pro- 
portionate quantity of chromium will desirably be used 
when the proportion of tungsten and molybdenum is rel- 
atively large and vice versa. This is indicated by the ex- 
amples above given of quaternary alloys suitable in one 
instance for cutlery and the like, and the other instance, 
for lathe tools ; to wit, in the first instance, 25 per cent, of 
chromium and 5 per cent, of tungsten and molybdenum 
with a corresponding percentage of the cobalt constituent, 
and, in the second instance, 15 per cent, of chromium, and 
25 per cent, of tungsten and molybdenum with a corre- 
sponding percentage of cobalt. 

The quaternary alloy consisting of cobalt, chromium, 
and two of the other metals of the chromium group, name- 
ly, both tungsten and molybdenum, are particularly suit- 
able for high speed lathe tools. For example, I have pro- 
duced an alloy containing 5 per cent, of molybdenum, 25 
per cent, of tungsten, 15 per cent, of chromium and 55 per 
cent, of cobalt, which, after being-cast into a bar and made 
into a lathe tool, affords a tool which will cut cast iron or 
steel, without overheating of or injury to the tool, from 
50' to 100 per cent, faster than a tool made from the best 
special or "high speed" steel now produced for such pur- 
poses. In the case of such quaternary alloys, the chro- 
mium constituent may be present in the proportion of 
from 5 to 60 per cent , or the tungsten and molybdenum 
constituents together may be present in the same propor- 
tions of from 5 to 60 per cent, with such relative propor- 
tions of the chromium constituent, on the one hand, and 
the total quantity of the tungsten and molybdenum con- 
stituents, on the other hand, as to prevent an undesirable 
degree of brittleness in the alloy. 

I have found, in general, that cobalt, in an alloy with 
three or more metals of the chromium group, produces a 

29 



series of useful alloys, throughout a very wide range in 
the relative proportion of the constituents. In the case 
of admixtures of many other metals, the hardness rapidly 
increases with the increase in the proportion of one or 
more of the constituents, until the alloy becomes so brittle 
as to be unfit for practical use. As, for instance, if cop- 
per be alloyed with tin, an increase in the hardness of the 
alloy takes place, until, when the proportion of tin is ma- 
terially over 10 per cent., the alloy becomes so brittle as to 
be unfit for practical use. To the contrary, an increase 
in either the chromium constituent, or the tungsten and 
molybdenum constituents in the quaternary alloys referred 
to, even beyond the proportions hereinbefore generally 
stated (but so far as my experiments have gone, not ex- 
actly determined ) , will not make the alloy too brittle for 
practical uses. In other words, my tests have shown that, 
when the constituents of the alloys described are present, 
within the wide range of relative proportions stated, a 
series of alloys may be produced having novel and very 
valuable properties, and capable of use in the arts with 
great advantage and benefit. 

It is to be understood that small quantities of other 
metals, or non-metallic substances, may be combined with 
the quaternary alloys described, such as will not injuri- 
ously affect the nature of such alloys, and which may to 
some extent modify their properties and render them more 
suitable for special requirements. 

From the above, it will be understood that I have dis- 
covered new and useful quaternary metal alloys, consisting 
of cobalt, chromium and two other metals of the chro- 
mium group, and that these combinations or alloys possess 
peculiar and novel characteristics. It is also to be under- 
stood that any other metal of the chromium group may 
be added to the alloy or substituted in the alloy for either 
one of the metals of the chromium group hereinbefore par- 
ticularly specified. 



30 



I claim as iny invention : 

1. A metal alloy composed of cobalt, chromium and 
two other metals of the chromium group. 

2. A metal alloy composed of cobalt, chromium, tung- 
sten and molybdenum. 

See U. S. Patent 1,093,557 on page 125. 
See U. S. Patent 1,096.655 on page 187. 
See U. S. Patent 1,101,534 on page 188. 

1,110,303, Hans Kreusler (Assigned to General Electric 
Company), Sept. >$, 1914 

The present invention relates to alloys of tungsten and 
other highly refractory metals related to it, particularly 
molybdenum. 

More particularly, the invention relates to alloys of these 
metals with nickel. These alloys have on the one hand a 
very high percentage of tungsten, molybdenum and the 
like, and on the other hand the property of being very duc- 
tile, so that they can be drawn out into very fine wires. 
Further, these alloys having a small percentage of nickel 
have the property that the nickel can be completely . re- 
moved from them again without it being necessary to fuse 
them. In addition, the alloys with a high percentage of 
tungsten and a small percentage of nickel resist the action 
of acids and other chemical materials in a particularly 
high degree, so that in many respects they behave like a 
precious metal. 

All these properties accrue to the mentioned alloys only 
when the percentage of nickel is not less than about 1 per 
cent, and when the percentage of the metal of the tungsten- 
molybdenum group is not less than about 60 per cent. If 
the percentage of tungsten is less than the amount men- 
tioned, it is found, for example, that it is no longer pos- 
sible to drive off the nickel electrically in vacuo without 
the alloy fusing. If the percentage of nickel is less than 
1 per cent., the alloy is not sufficiently ductile. Even with 

31 



4% per cent, of nickel the ductility of the alloy is still very 
slight, and only with about 5 per cent, and more are alloys 
obtained which correspond to the highest requirements 
which can be demanded. 

Alloys consisting of 85 to 95 per cent, of tungsten 
and 15 to 5 per cent, of nickel, particularly alloys of 90 
per cent, tungsten and 10 per cent, nickel, prove to be of 
very special utility, but a part of the nickel may be re- 
placed by iron or other metals. For example, an alloy con- 
sisting of 90 per cent, tungsten, with 5 per cent, nickel and 
5 per cent, iron, is found to be very good. 

The tungsten may also be wholly or partially replaced 
by other highly refractory metals, particularly by those 
of the tungsten- molybdenum group, such as chromium, 
tungsten and molybdenum. 

The finely drawn wires of such alloys are of special tech- 
nical importance in the art of making electric incandescent 
lamps, because they possess great mechanical resistance; 
they can, therefore, be easily manufactured into filaments, 
which then are attached to the electrodes and placed in a 
highly rarefied atmosphere or in a vacuum, and are then 
heated in such manner by passing through them an electric 
current that the total quantity of nickel is driven out 
again, so that a pure tungsten filament is finally obtained. 
This method is described in more detail hereinafter. 

In order to make alloys of tungsten or of another metal 
related to it with nickel, which have only a small per- 
centage of nickel and which are ductile, the following- 
method is preferably employed : The metal of the tungsten- 
molybdenum group and the highly refractory metals which, 
in addition, are possibly to be incorporated in it, are united 
with nickel to form a uniform homogeneous metallic mass 
at as low a temperature as possible, and in any event at a 
temperature below the melting point of the metal of the 
tungsten-molybdenum group. In order to do this, tung- 
sten and nickel may, for example, be mixed in an exceed- 
ingly finely divided state with one another and be made 
plastic with the aid of a suitable agglutinant, for example 

32 



paraffin. As small a quantity as possible of the aggluti- 
nant is employed. The plastic mass is brought into the 
form of a small rod and is then gradually heated until the 
agglutinant is removed again and the metallic powders are 
baked together, forming a rod of sufficient mechanical 
strength. This rod is then heated further until a quite 
homogeneous and ductile metallic mass is produced, which, 
however, still maintains the form of the original small rod. 

A specially suitable agglutinant is a colloidal solution 
of a tungsten compound which can be reduced completely 
to tungsten by hydrogen, for example colloidal tungstic 
acid, or still better a colloidal plastic mass of tungsten 
compounds made by heating dry tungstate of ammonia to 
about 270° C. and then boiling the mass in water, such as 
is described in the American Patent No. 956,979, filed June 
22, 1907. When such an agglutinant is employed, tung- 
sten and nickel in the finest pulverized form, or, instead 
of them, still better, an oxide of tungsten and nickel 
monoxide are mixed with the reducible plastic mass of 
tungsten compounds which serves as agglutinant, and a 
small rod is made from the mass thus obtained. This small 
rod may have a length, for example, of from 20 cms. to 
30 cms. and a diameter of 1 to 2. mm. for example. The 
rod dries easily and is then very firm, and is placed in an 
electric furnace, which consists of an electrically heated 
pipe or tube. The latter may consist, for example, of car- 
bon with a lining of nickel or other material of very great 
stability in heat, quartz being particularly suitable. 

When a rod of the desired ductility is obtained, it can 
be shaped mechanically by rolling, drawing, hammering 
and the like. A wire consisting, for example, of 7 to 20 
per cent, nickel and 93 to 80 per cent, tungsten, which has 
been obtained in the above described manner, may, for 
example, be drawn out into the very finest wires, such as 
are able to be used for the manufacture of metallic fila- 
ments for electric incandescent lamps and for many other 
purposes. 



33 



If a body obtained by mechanically working up such an 
alloy be placed in a very highly rarefied atmosphere, for 
example, hi the receiver of an air pump, and if it be heated 
by passing through it an electric current, the temperature 
being gradually increased without it rising to the melting- 
point of the alloy, however, the nickel contained in the 
body is vaporized again, without the body changing in 
shape. A body of tungsten, possessing the original shape 
and having a correspondingly smaller percentage of nickel, 
remains behind, or also a pure tungsten body, when the 
vaporizing process is continued for a correspondingly long- 
time. In this manner it is possible to make solid bodies of 
tungsten without having recourse to a fusing process. This 
method can be put into practice, particularly easily, with 
wires which are drawn from the alloy. The ends of the 
wires are connected to the leads connected with a suitable 
source of electric current, and the entire wire is placed in 
the receiver of an air pump, whereupon the air is exhausted 
until a vacuum exists, and the wire is heated to red heat 
by sending through it a current, whereupon by gradually 
increasing the strength of the current the temperature is 
increased in such manner that the nickel begins to vapo- 
rize. When the method is continued for a sufficiently long 
time a filament is obtained which is perfectly free from 
nickel and which is excellently suited as a filament for 
electric incandescent lamps. 

For the latter purpose the wire is first brought into 
the shape suitable for the incandescent lamp, is attached to 
electrodes, and hereupon is liberated from the nickel by 
passing through it an electric current. The wire is then 
placed in the lamp-bulb, whereupon the latter is exhausted 
and sealed in the manner usual in the manufacture of 
electric incandescent lamps. 

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by 
Letters Patent is : 

1. A metallic alloy containing more than 60 per cent, 
of metal of the tungsten-molybdenum group and more than 
1 per cent, of nickel, and having the property of ductility. 

34 



2. A metallic alloy containing 95 per cent, to 75 per 
cent, of tungsten, not more than 15 per cent, of nickel and 
not more than 10 per cent, of another metal, and having 
the property of ductility. 

1,115,239, Parr, Oct. 27, 19 U 

Bomb calorimeters as ordinarily used are constructed 
of steel, with the inner faces lined with platinum or with 
gold-plated copper, to resist the corrosive action of the 
nitric acid liberated in the calorimeter when in use. Such 
constructions have the disadvantage of high cost, and also 
the disadvantage that moisture may work in under the 
lining and subsequently impair the accuracy of the heat 
determination. Also platinum linings as thus used within 
a calorimeter are easily damaged and are otherwise ob- 
jectionable, as is well known. 

As the result of extended experiment and investigation, 
I have discovered a new alloy whieh is so resistant to the 
corrosive action of the moist oxygen, or of ordinary acids, 
such as nitric acid, that it can be used within the cal- 
orimeter and exposed directly to the action of the cal- 
orimeter charge. The alloy is so resistant that it may be 
used for valve seats, and similar parts of apparatus 
where the wear and exposure are extreme, without ap- 
preciable corrosion or deterioration even after long con- 
tinued use. This alloy is also adapted for use in the con- 
struction of chemical vessels, and as electric resistance 
wire and as a substitute for platinum and other expensive 
materials, and in the form of a wire or sheet metal suitably 
shaped and worked, may be used in a great variety of ways, 
where its special characteristics make it of special value in 
the technical arts. In general, this new alloy comprises 
nickel as its basis, together with a certain amount of 
chromium or of molybdenum, or of both, and a somewhat 
smaller quantity of copper. The chromium increases 
the melting temperature and also leads to brittle- 
ness. The copper, on the other hand, tends to lower the 
melting point, but it cannot be used except in moderate 

35 



quantity, without lowering the resistance to corrosion. I 
have found that there is also advantage in having tungsten 
present, and while its presence may not be necessary, yet 
it tends toward easy casting and also strengthens the 
acid resisting properties of the alloy. Molybdenum may 
be used in place of tungsten to a very considerable extent 
with some resultant advantages. Tungsten is much like 
chromium in promoting resistance to acid attack, but it 
is quite in contrast with chromium in that it permits easy 
casting and reduces shrinkage. Aluminium and man- 
ganese in small quantities can also be used to advantage, 
being added after the mass is fluid and when it is about in 
condition for pouring. Aluminium lowers the melting- 
point of the alloy somewhat and besides being a good deoxi- 
dizer, it accentuates the resistance to both nitric and sul- 
phuric acid. Manganese serves much as aluminium. Tita- 
nium and boron in fractional percentages may also be used. 
I have found that the relative proportion of the elements 
above named may be varied through relatively wide limits 
and still yield an alloy having, in the main, the mechanical 
strength and toughness and the acid resisting character- 
istics of metal suitable for use in calorimeters, and as elec- 
trical resistances, and in the arts generally. I have found 
that the following composition, by weight, glives good 
results: 63 parts nickel; 5 parts copper; 15 parts chro- 
mium; 10 parts of molybdenum-chromium alloy in equal 
percentages; 2 parts tungsten; iy 2 parts aluminium; 1U> 
parts manganese-titanium alloy compounded in the pro- 
portions of 70 parts manganese to 30 parts titanium; 1 
part manganese-boron alloy compounded in the proportion 
70 parts manganese to 30 parts boron; 1 part copper-sili- 
con alloy compounded in the proportions 80 parts copper 
to 20 parts silicon ; 14 P ar t boron suboxide ( approximately 
B 15 0). As to variations from the above proportions, I 
have found that the nickel content may vary between 55 
and 65 per cent., and the copper between 5 and 11 per cent. 
As to the members of the chromium group, viz., chromium, 
molybdenum and tungsten, these metals are. to some extent 

36 



interchangeable, but preferably should total in the neigh- 
borhood of 27 per cent. Molybdenum, in its behavior, seems 
more pronounced than tungsten in promoting resistivity to 
acid, and may vary from 5 to 8 per cent. The chromium 
content may vary between 15 and 21 per cent., the tung- 
sten between about 2 and 3 per cent., and the aluminium 
between y 2 and iy 2 per cent. The manganese and titanium 
may be omitted altogether, although I regard them as sub- 
stantial aids in casting and as desirable deoxidizers. The 
boron and boron suboxide can also be omitted, their prin- 
cipal functions being that of a flux and degasifler, but if 
any boron remains behind in the alloy, it offers no disad- 
vantage and may even present some advantages. Silicon 
also may be omitted. 

In practice I prefer to melt together in about the pro- 
portion above indicated, the nickel, chromium, molybde- 
num-chromium alloy, copper and tungsten, and then after 
the melt is fluid, I add the aluminium, manganese-titanium 
alloy, manganese-boron alloy and copper silicon alloy in 
about the proportions stated, these additions serving to 
remove gases and increase the fluidity of the melt and 
otherwise assisting in bringing the material into better 
physical and chemical condition . for pouring. Finally, I 
add the y 2 per cent, suboxide, and this acts to eliminate 
absorbed gases and to deoxidize the other metals. 

In some melts I have omitted both the copper-silicon 
alloy and the boron flux and still obtained a satisfactory 
product, and I am aware that the manganese may be 
omitted and that various changes may be made in the ad- 
mixtures of the aluminium, manganese, titanium and 
boron, without greatly influencing the final result, though 
the proportions above indicated are, at the present time, 
considered by me as most satisfactory in obtaining uni- 
formly good results. The boron, besides acting as a de- 
oxidizer, appears to act as a mixer. Some carbon may be 
present to the extent of 1/10 of 1 per cent., and my re- 
search indicates that the carbon has some virtue in helping 



37 



to resist the solvent action of acid. Some iron may be pres- 
ent without harm, say 1/10 of 1 per cent. 

The best melting and casting temperature for the alloy 
here disclosed, in its various modifications, is in the neigh- 
borhood of 1300° C, with 1500° C. as the upper limit. 

The alloy may be cast in iron moulds not heated, or in 
sand, and when thus made has a tensile strength of about 
55,000 to 60,000 pounds per square inch. The cast ma- 
terial can be rolled and drawn into wire and can be spun 
and mechanically worked according to well known metal 
working methods. With drawn wire, the tensile strength 
is much greater than that given for the cast material, be- 
ing in the neighborhood of 124,000 pounds per square inch 
in some cases. The relatively great strength and tough- 
ness of the alloy even in cast condition is of importance, 
when the material is used in the construction of cal- 
orimeters, because the pressure developed within the cal- 
orimeters may be as high as 1,000 pounds per square inch, 
even under normal conditions. Also this great strength 
and toughness makes the alloy suited for use in the me- 
chanical arts, in a great many ways, where a corrosion 
resistant material is essential. The electrical resistance 
of the alloy is high, being in the neighborhood of fifty times 
that of copper. The melting point is in the neighborhood 
of 1200° to 1300° C. 

The material, either in cast, rolled or drawn condition, 
is non-oxidizable in the ordinary sense. Corrosion, if it 
occurs at all, at atmospheric temperature and pressure, 
when 100 square centimeters area is subjected for twenty- 
four hours to four times normal HN0 3 or H 2 S0 4 , or mix- 
tures of these acids, is so slight as to be substantially 
within the experimental error of weighing, even though the 
balance used may show changes of one-tenth of a milli- 
gram. Samples of about 10 square centimeter area have 
been exposed for as long as ten days to 25 per cent, nitric 
acid, with no loss in weight which could be detected by the 
most accurate weighing. With other samples under the 
same conditions, there was a loss of .002 milligrams per 

38 



100 square centimeters per hour in 25 per cent, nitric acid, 
and for practical purposes this may be regarded as no cor- 
rosion. 

The alloy is equally insoluble in 25 per cent. H 2 S0 4 or in 
a 25 per cent, mixture of two parts sulphuric acid to oue 
part nitric acid. In 25 per cent, hydrochloric acid, the 
corrosion is possibly twice as high as in nitric (for such 
samples as show any corrosion in nitric ) , and consequently 
even with hydrochloric, the material may be said to be non- 
corrosive. 

As the result of the continued use of the alloy here dis- 
closed, for exposed surfaces in a bomb calorimeter of the 
construction disclosed in my application above identified, 
where the alloy is directly in contact with the hot gases, it 
may be said that the total corrosion within the bomb, un- 
der the extreme temperatures and pressures there encoun- 
tered, need not exceed five-tenths of a milligram for each 
heat, and such a slight corrosion, assuming that it might 
take place, would introduce a variable of not more than 1 
part in 10,000, which of course, is well within the experi- 
mental accuracy of methods for using bomb calorimeters. 

In addition to the use of this alloy for bomb calorimeters 
and for valves ; valve seats and exposed portions of chemi- 
cal vessels, it has a wide range of uses in the electrical and 
mechanical arts where its special characteristics of relative 
great strength and toughness, high electrical resistance 
and more particularly its resistance to oxidation or corro- 
sion, can be made use of. 

I claim : 

1. A non-oxidizing alloy having a composition of about 
63 parts nickel, 5 parts copper, 20 parts chromium. 5 parts 
molybdenum, and 2 parts tungsten. 

2. A non oxidizing alloy consisting of approximately 63 
parts nickel, 5 parts copper, 20 parts chromium, 5 parts 
molybdenum, 2 parts tungsten, and a small percentage of 
deoxidizing material substantially as described. 

39 



1,150,113, Haynes, Aug. 17, 1915 

This invention relates to noble alloys; and it comprises 
as a new and useful composition of matter an alloy of noble 
characteristics containing cobalt and chromium together 
with iron as a third or softening metal; such alloy con- 
taining no substantial amounts, say, not over 4 or 5 per 
cent, of other metals and containing little carbon; all as 
more fully hereinafter set forth and as claimed. 

In composition with various other metals, chromium 
alloys can be obtained which are noble in their charac- 
teristics; that is, they resemble the noble metals, such as 
gold and silver, in that they do not suffer alteration or 
change in their surfaces by exposure to acids, oxidizing in- 
fluences, air, etc. In certain prior patents I have described 
and claimed a number of alloys of this character. In one 
such patent, No. 873,945, I have described and claimed an 
alloy consisting substantially of cobalt and chromium. 
These alloys of chromium with cobalt offer a high resist- 
ance against atmospheric influences. Such an alloy con- 
taining 10 per cent, or more of cobalt resists boiling with 
nitric acid and many other extreme oxidizing actions. It 
does not tarnish and can be given a pleasing and perma- 
nent polish. The alloy can be worked while hot and can 
be given a good and permanent edge; and in edge tools 
the metal is sufficiently hard to enable it to cut most other 
metals. As a rule the hardness increases with the amount 
of chromium present. These alloys, however, are some- 
what difficult to work, the difficulty increasing with the 
amount of chromium present. They can, however, be cast 
into ingots or bars and these bars worked at high tem- 
peratures by special manipulation, but this working is 
somewhat costly because of the high temperatures re- 
quired. Their hardness is also greater than is required 
in actual use in making knives, auger bits, gimlets, etc. It 
is sufficient for most of the purposes of edge tools if the 
metal used is sufficiently hard to cut wood, bone and ma- 
terials of like nature, though for some purposes, of course, 
an even greater hardness is desirable. For these latter 

40 



purposes I have described and claimed in various patents, 
alloys of this character having the hardness enhanced by 
an addition of other metals of the chromium group. But, as 
stated, for certain purposes so much hardness as is found 
in chromium-cobalt alloys is not necessary; and is even 
disadvantageous. For example, in a wood saw there is no 
use of more hardness than suffices for cutting wood, and 
great hardness of metal not only makes the production of 
the saw more expensive and difficult, but adds to the labor 
and trouble of renewing the sharpness of the tool after 
long use. The cobalt-chromium alloys are so hard as to 
make filing difficult, and grinding tedious and laborious. 
I have found, however, that without sacrifice of their valu- 
able properties, as regards resistance to oxidizing influ- 
ence, these alloys can be somewhat softened by an addition 
of iron. This diminution of hardness may be to any de- 
gree desired. Nickel in a chromium-cobalt alloy has some 
of the softening influence of iron, but not in so marked 
a degree, and the iron-containing alloys are tougher, both 
hot and cold, and are therefore easier to work. These 
ternary cobalt chromium-iron alloys are of sufficient hard- 
ness to serve efficiently for saws and similar tools; being 
as hard or harder than the ordinary tempered steel em- 
ployed for such purposes, but not so hard as to prevent 
ready re-sharpening with a file or grindstone. A similar 
alloy containing nickel, replacing part or all of the iron 
in a cobalt-chromium-iron alloy, has some of the same ad- 
vantages. As noted, however, the softening influence of 
nickel in such alloys is not as great as that of iron. A 
series of alloys of cobalt, chromium and iron, with low 
carbon content, has been prepared, containing a constant 
per cent, of chromium (about 20 per cent), in which the 
iron content has been gradually increased from 10 per- 
cent, to 75 per cent, of the entire mixture. Alloys so 
formed show little variation in either their chemical or 
nhysical properties so long as they contain 5 per cent, or 
more of cobalt and from 20 per cent, to 25 per cent, of 
chromium. They are all readily malleable at a bright, red 

41 



heat and can be worked into sheets or rods from cast ingots 
without difficulty. These alloys receive and retain a 
beautiful luster and are much less subject to oxidation or 
other changes in the atmosphere than the binary alloys, 
consisting of iron and chromium alloy. Such alloys con- 
taining a constant percentage of chromium (namely, 20 
per cent.) and varying from 5 per cent, to 75 per cent, in 
iron (at intervals of 10 per cent.) and varying in the pro- 
portion of cobalt from 70 per cent, to 5 per cent., made in 
the form of bars, were ground to a smooth surface and 
then covered with a strong solution of ammonium chloride 
whicli was allowed to dry on. The bars were then subject- 
ed to moist air for several days, but failed to show the 
slightest stain or tarnish. While these ternary alloys are 
distinctly softer than the alloys of cobalt and chromium 
only, they have certain peculiar advantages which give 
them wide application, for example, such alloys may be 
manufactured into saws, boring tools, etc., which possess 
sufficient hardness for wood-working tools of this descrip- 
tion; and at the same time these, tools can be worked al- 
most as readily by the file as similar instruments made of 
steel. These ternary alloys also work very well under 
hammer at a moderate red heat. The softening influence 
of the iron is so great that the per cent, of chromium may 
be quite high. In an alloy containing a given amount of 
chromium, the cobalt and iron have opposite influences, 
the cobalt tending to harden, and the iron to soften. An 
alloy containing, say, 40 per cent, chromium, 20 per cent, 
iron and 40 per cent, cobalt, is much more workable than 
an alloy containing 40 per cent, chromium and 60 per cent, 
cobalt. In these alloys it is desirable not to have any ma- 
terial amount of carbon ; say, not above 1 per cent, carbon ; 
while a carbon content below 0.60 is better. Alloys con- 
taining as little as 0.2 to 0.4 per cent, are even better. Car- 
bon makes the alloy more fusible, but it detracts from its 
properties for the purposes here intended. 

An alloy of 55 parts iron, 25 parts cobalt and 20 parts 
chromium is highly resistant against atmospheric influ- 

42 



euce, works readily under the hammer at a red heat and is, 
considering ordinary steels, very hard; but it is neverthe- 
less soft enough to permit slow filing with an ordinary file. 
Tools of this alloy are hard enough to permit easy work- 
ing of wood, bone, ivory and soft metals, and are easily 
sharpened at ordinary temperatures. 

The present alloys have inherent hardness; their hard- 
ness is not much affected by working or temperature 
changes. Tempering has little effect. The presence of car- 
bon changes their properties in this respect. By adding 
cai'bon to these ternary alloys they may be hardened to a 
considerable degree without losing very much in mallea- 
bility, and for certain purposes carbon may become a valu- 
able constituent. Silicon, sulphur, etc., should be sub- 
stantially absent. 

For some purposes a slight addition of other metals of 
the chromium group may be made to the ternary alloys 
here described, though these elements tend to harden the 
alloy and make it less workable. But the amount of such 
an addition should ordinarily not exceed, say, 4 or 5 per 
cent. For example, 2 or 3 per cent, of molybdenum may 
be added to an iron-cobalt-ehromium alloy to give it a 
somewhat different surface appearance or color. For 
some purposes such an addition is advantageous. 

The described alloys may be made by melting together 
the required amounts of the several metals. Alumina or 
magnesia crucibles are most suitable as being highly refrac- 
tory and containing no carbon. Graphite crucibles should 
not be used without a lining of indifferent material since 
otherwise they tend to raise the carbon content. Any con- 
venient manner of heating, such as the oxyhydrogen or oxy- 
acetylene flame, electric heating, etc., may be used. With 
high amounts of chromium, electric heating is better. 
Ferro-chromium may be employed in making these alloys, 
but on account of its high carbon content, it is necessary 
to remove the excess of carbon in some way. This may be 
done by adding to the melt a small amount of oxide of 
chromium, oxide of iron or oxide of cobalt, proper allow- 

43 



«moe being, of course, made in the composition for the; 
amount of metal thus reduced. A little ferro-titanium may 
be added to the melt for the purposes of removing oxygen 
and nitrogen, etc. Or a little manganese may be used as 
a deoxidant. After fusion, the alloy may be cast into in- 
gots or bars of any suitable size or shape — five-sixteenths 
square bars are convenient for many purposes. The bar 
so produced may be worked down to tools at a red heat, by 
hammering, rolling, swaging, etc. Knife blades, saws, etc., 
may be given their shape and edge during the working. 
The edge will be retained on cooling. Drilling, grinding and 
polishing are easily practicable in the manufacture of 
tools without need of using very hard abrasives, such as 
carborundum. 

The relative ratios of the three metals may be as de- 
sired for the particular purposes desired. An increase in 
the amount of chromium raises the melting point, the hard- 
ness and the resistance to oxidation, and the cobalt tends 
in the same direction, while an increase in the amount of 
iron ( or, in a less degree, of nickel ) renders the alloy more 
fusible, more malleable and softer. In securing noble al- 
loys having the characteristics desired in the present in- 
vention, there should always be a substantial amount, 
say, 10 per cent, or more, of chromium present; and the 
same is true of the other two metals. An alloy may be 
made of 10 per cent, chromium and 90 per cent, of cobalt 
and iron together, which is excellent for some purposes, 
but it is much better to have between 20 and 30 per cent, 
of chromium. Alloys running as high as 80 per cent, 
chromium may be made, but are hard to melt and % work. 
Ten per cent, of iron will soften cobalt-chromium alloys 
considerably, but 20 to 30 per cent, is better. To obtain 
the full value of these alloys, particularly as regards their 
resistance to atmospheric influences or corrosive agents, 
they should contain as high as 10 per cent, chromium. 
The chromium may be increased to 40 or 50 per cent if 
desired for certain purposes, but these higher percentages 
render the alloy much less workable under the hammer. 

44 



Alloys containing from 20 to 30 per cent, chromium are 
preferable for most purposes. 

What I claim is : 

1. As a new material, a noble alloy of cobalt, chromium 
and iron. 

2. As a new material, a noble alloy of cobalt, chromium 
and iron, said iron being present in amounts greater than 
10 per cent. 

3. As a new material, a noble alloy of cobalt, chromium 
and iron, said cobalt being present in amount greater than 
5 per cent. 

See IT. S. Patent 1,162,341 on page 306. 
See U. S. Patent 1,169,753 on page 277. 

1,203,555, Brix (Assigned to American Alloys Company), 

Oct, 31, 1916 

My invention relates to alloys. 

The alloy, which is the subject matter of my invention, 
has several highly valuable characteristics, and in its pre- 
ferred form it may be designated as a nickel-chrome alloy, 
since the nickel-chrome content predominates. 

I have found that an alloy comprising predominantly 
nickel or cobalt, the nickel or cobalt content being, say, not 
less than about 55 per cent, by weight, and one or more 
metals of the chromium group, such as chromium or chro- 
mium and tungsten, or chromium and titanium, between 
13 and 35 per cent., with silicon not over 10 per cent., 
which have been melted with one or more metals, such as 
copper and manganese, to give fluidity to the alloy and 
render it homogeneous, has very valuable characteristics. 

The preferred form of the alloy, by actual test, has been 
found to stand a very high degree of heat — about 3000° F., 
and to be dissolved only by hot aquaregia (nitrohydro- 
chloric acid). In its preferred form it is substantially, 

45 



if hot entirely, unaffected by other acids, thus rendering 
it highly valuable for use in making laboratory utensils, 
or other articles, which must withstand a high tempera- 
ture or be substantially unaffected by ordinary acids. I 
have also found that the alloy is hard and capable of taking 
a good edge and may be made malleable, and on account 
of these features it is highly useful for cutlery, tools and 
instruments generally. The alloy in some forms is also 
ductile. 

I will first state the ingredients of the preferred form 
of the alloy, giving the relative proportions of each for the 
preferred form of the alloy, and their functions in the alloy. 

1 will then point out, by way of example, some substitute" 
ingredients that I have found to be satisfactory, and will 
then describe the preferred method of making the preferred 
form of the alloy, and will then particularly point out my 
invention in the appended claims. 

The preferred form of the alloy contains nickel, chro- 
mium, copper, silicon, tungsten, aluminium and man- 
ganese (the aluminium appearing as a result of the manu- 
facture of the alloy, as aluminium facilitates the manu- 
facture, but it is mostly burned out and may be replaced 
by copper in producing or manufacturing even the pre- 
ferred form of alloy, although for some uses of the alloy 
the presence of aluminium in the alloy may prove to give 
to it certain desirable features). This form of the alloy 
is made by reducing to a molten mass the following metals, 
in the approximate proportions set forth : Nickel, 60 to 70 
per cent., by weight; chromium, 15 to 20 per cent., by 
weight; copper, 5 per cent., by weight; silicon, 4 per cent., 
by weight ; tungsten, 1 to 4 per cent, by weight ; aluminium, 

2 per cent, by weight; manganese-titanium (two-thirds 
manganese), 3 per cent., by weight, or manganese, 2 per 
cent., by weight, and boron 1 per cent., by weight. I have 
found that an alloy made from these metals in substan- 
tially the proportions given, has the valuable characteris- 
tics of the alloy heretofore mentioned. The nickel and 
chromium are the main ingredients which, with the tung- 

46 



sten and the use of boron or titanium in the manufacture 
of the alloy, give the metal its high melting point, which 
may be varied by varying the proportions of tungsten and 
boron. Increase in the proportion of tungsten with the 
use of boron as a flux increases the melting point of the 
alloy. The silicon and chromium are the most important 
constituents giving the acid-resisting quality to the alloy. 
Silicon and tungsten give the alloy its property of hard- 
ness. When relatively small percentages of silicon and 
chromium are used, the alloy, as stated, is ductile and 
malleable." I have found that the temperature at which 
the alloy is poured regulates to a marked extent its duc- 
tility and malleability, and that the proportions of the 
nickel and chromium also affect these characteristics; an 
increase of nickel and a reduction of chromium increases 
the malleability and ductility, and vice versa. 

. I have found that for some uses of the alloy cobalt may 
be substituted for the nickel, but when such a substitu- 
tion is made the alloy is not so acid-resisting, as it will 
not withstand hydrochloric acid. I have also found that 
for some uses of the alloy, another suitable metal of the 
tungsten group, such as titanium, may be substituted for 
the tungsten ingredient of the preferred form of the alloy. 
With this substitution the alloy is homogeneous and duc- 
tile, and withstands the ordinary acids, but is lacking in 
hardness. I have also found that inasmuch as copper and 
aluminium are used principally to assist in the melting of 
the alloy and to give it its homogeneous character, the 
aluminium content may bo replaced by an equivalent 
amount of copper or other suitable metal of low melting- 
point having the same effect on the contents of the alloy as 
copper. In such a case.it is preferable to substitute for 
the aluminium substantially the same amount of copper 
in addition to that usually used with the aluminium. The 
result of such substitution seems to give no marked or dif- 
ferent characteristic than when both copper and alu- 
minium are used, but the use of aluminium with the cop- 
per is preferable from the standpoint of manufacture, since 

47 



it facilitates the melting of the metals. Some of the cop- 
per and a considerable amount of the aluminium are 
burned out in the manufacture of the alloy ; and where the 
small amount of titanium is used with the manganese, very 
little, if any, titanium seems to be retained in the alloy; 
but where titanium is substituted for tungsten, as above 
stated, of course a very appreciable percentage remains 
in the alloy. I have also found that the respective in- 
gredients of the contents may be varied for the purpose of 
changing the characteristics of the alloy in one or another 
particular. As far as I have been able to ascertain, the 
nickel or cobalt content should be between 55 and 80 per 
cent., by weight; chromium, between 10 and 25 per cent., 
by weight; copper, not over 6 per cent., by weight; alu- 
minium, not over 4 per cent., by weight; tungsten or tita- 
nium, not over 8 per cent., by weight; silicon, not over 10 
per cent., by weight; manganese, not over 6 per cent., by 
w eight, and titanium or boron when used as a flux with 
manganese, not over 5 per cent., by weight; and the com- 
bined nickel and chromium content or cobalt-chromium 
content should not exceed 90 per cent., by weight. It will, 
of course, be understood, however, that rapid strides are 
being made in the manufacture of alloys, both in the 
process of melting the constituents and in rolling or forg- 
ing the alloys, and that with these improved methods of 
manufacture it is possible that the respective ingredients 
of the alloy may be further varied while retaining certain 
valuable characteristics thereof. 

By Avay of illustrating the manner in which the charac- 
teristics of the alloy are affected by varying the different 
ingredients, I will give a few examples of the alloy in 
which the percentages of certain ingredients were varied. 
For example, the alloy made from nickel, 61 per cent.; 
chromium, 20 per cent. ; copper, 5 per cent. ; aluminium, 3 
per cent. ; tungsten, 4 per cent. ; silicon, 4 per cent., and 
manganese- titanium (two-thirds manganese), 3 per cent, 
produced an alloy which was very hard, substantially re- 
sistant to all acids other than nitro-hydrochloric acid and 

'48 



which took a good edge and was somewhat malleable. 
Whereas, an alloy made from nickel, 72 per cent.; chro- 
mium, 16 per cent. ; copper, 4 per cent. ; aluminium, 1 per 
cent.; silicon, 4 per cent., aud manganese-titanium (two- 
thirds manganese), 3 per cent., retains its acid-resisting 
property, but is very ductile and capable of being rolled 
and drawn into wire; and an alloy made with nickel, 68 
per cent. ; chromium, 15 per cent. ; silicon, 8 per cent. ; 
copper, 4 per cent. ; tungsten, 1 per cent. ; aluminium, 1 
per cent., and manganese- titanium (two-thirds manganese), 
3 per cent., has the characteristic of great hardness, but is 
less ductile than alloy example No. 2. The alloy made with 
nickel, 65 per cent. ; chromium, 22 per cent. ; silicon, 4 per 
cent., and the rest of the ingredients as given in the last 
example (No. 3), was not as hard as the alloy No. 3, but 
was harder than the alloy No. 2, and had marked acid- 
resisting properties. 

In manufacturing the alloy according to the preferred 
method, I place the whole of the tungsten and half of the 
chromium in an electric furnace, the temperature of which 
is approximately 2800° to 3400° F., and heat them until 
the mixture comes to a semi-molten or pasty consistency, 
whereupon the other half of the chromium is placed in the 
furnace and the whole is melted. As the compound in 
the electric furnace is brought to the melting point, and 
just before it is melted, so as to assist in melting it, a small 
percentage — for example, about 5 per cent, of the nickel is 
added, and the whole thoroughly melted. Simultaneously 
with the melting of these metals in the electric furnace, 
the balance of the nickel, the copper and the silicon are 
placed in another furnace such, for example, as a gas fur- 
nace, the temperature of which is approximately 2800° F., 
and melted. While the compound in the gas furnace is 
being brought to the melting point, the aluminium is grad- 
ually added in small quantities. The addition of the alu- 
minium in this manner acts effectively as a reducing agent 
on the other metals in the furnace, combining with the 
oxides, and. I believe, more particularly with the oxides of 

49 



the copper to assist in reducing the same. When the con- 
stituents in both furnaces have been melted, the contents 
of the gas furnace are emptied into the electric furnace 
and the whole stirred, whereupon the manganese and tita- 
nium or manganese and boron are added to the whole and 
stirred, the heat being kept up until the entire mixture is 
thoroughly melted, the time for which I find in practice 
to consume about five minutes from the time the man- 
ganese was added. The different contents ai"e all used in 
the metallic form. The manganese and titanium or man- 
ganese and boron act as a flux, assisting in melting the 
alloy, these metals being deoxidizing agents, acting to 
clarify the solution and aiding in the melting of the metals. 
I believe that the titanium combines with the oxygen from 
the other metals, or with the oxides and sulphides, which 
latter are present as impurities in one or more of the con- 
stituents, and thus aids in reducing these metals and puri- 
fying the alloy. The manganese not only acts as a flux and 
reducing agent, but as a constituent in the alloy. The 
boron or titanium, however, either of which may be used 
as a flux with the manganese, seem to completely dis- 
appear in the process of melting the alloy, since so* far I 
have been unable to find any traces of them in the result- 
ing product. Their use, however, in the manufacture of 
the product plays a highly important part, since I have 
found that the alloy made without them is of a coarser and 
less homogeneous structure. I have also found that some 
of the aluminium is volatilized or otherwise disappears 
during the melting operation, although a perceptible 
amount of it remains in the alloy. In melting the alloy, 
such fluxes as Paris green and niter, and other Avell known 
fluxes, may be made use of, to assist in reducing the metals. 
I have found that an alloy made according to the above 
process and containing the above ingredients in substan- 
tially the proportions set forth, is soluble in hot aquaregia 
( nitro-hydrochloric acid) and is slightly affected by cold 
acquaregia, although not soluble therein, but is substan- 
tially unaffected by the ordinary acids. 

50 



The alloy may be made into knives or surgical instru- 
ments, and has been found to take and hold a sharp edge. 

The alloy can be used in laboratory and other uses where 
receptacles or other articles are required having acid-re- 
sisting qualities and capable of standing high tempera- 
tures. 

Where, in the specification, I use the expression, "one or 
more metals of the nickel group, such as nickel," I do not 
wish to be understood as meaning any other metals of 
this group than nickel or cobalt. They are the only two 
metals, as far as I now know, that have sufficiently like 
characteristics to render them suitable for the main con- 
stituent of the alloy according to my invention, and I use 
this expression for lack of any better term that would in- 
clude both of these metals; and where I use, in the ap- 
pended claims 1 , the word "nickel," as distinguished from 
the above-mentioned expression, I wish to be understood as 
meaning nickel, to the exclusion of cobalt ; also, where I 
use the expression, in the appended claims, "non-ferrous 
metal alloy," I mean an alloy containing substantially no 
iron; that is, no iron in substantial amounts, such as 
would change the characteristics of the alloys, and where, 
in the appended claims, I refer to the percentages of the dif- 
ferent ingredients, I wish to be understood as meaning per- 
centages by weight. 

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as 
new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is : 

1. A metal alloy containing one or more metals of the 
nickel group, such as nickel not under 55 per cent, one or 
more metals of the chromium group, such as chromium, 
not over 30 per cent., and one or more metals that will act 
on the contents of the alloy to assist in melting the same 
and to render the alloy homogeneous, such as copper and 
manganese. 

2. A non-ferrous metal alloy containing one or more 
metals of the nickel group, such as nickel from 60 to 80 

51 



per cent., one or more metals of the chromium group, such 
as chromium over 10 per cent, and less than 25 per cent., 
said constituents having been alloyed by the use of one or 
more metals, such as copper and manganese, to assist in 
melting the same and render the allov homogeneous. 



j ^ 



3. A non-ferrous metal alloy containing one or more 
metals of the nickel group, such as nickel not under 60 per 
cent., one or more metals of the chromium group, such as 
chromium over 10 per cent, and less than 25 per cent., and 
in addition, tungsten ; said constituents having been alloyed 
by the use of one or more metals, such as copper and man- 
ganese, to assist in melting the same and render the alloy 
homogeneous. 

See U. S. Patent 1,221,769 on page 205. 

1 $29, 960, Humphries (Assigned to Commercial Research 
Company), June 12, 1917 

This invention relates to metal articles, especially an 
article of hard, dense metal, composed mainly of tungsten 
group metal and a smaller percentage of the class of nickel, 
cobalt, iron or the like. The metals to be united are first 
produced in the form of fine-grained powders, and the 
mixture is heated in a plurality of temperature stages, 
with a pause at each stage, until a hard, dense and malle- 
able material of high conductivity is produced. 

Metallic material for use as contact points or elements 
ordinarily have the form of a rivet -like element secured in 
an orificed holding member and they are usually com- 
posed of assembled bodies of different metals, because of 
the necessity of different metallic qualities. The contact- 
making surface must be non-oxidizing, hard, and perma- 
nent. The body of the element must be mechanically 
strong and hard to secure it to the holder, and should be 
capable of being riveted into place. 

The best contact elements are now made by uniting a 
facing layer of platinum to a shank of nickel. 



This invention produces a material from which noble- 
surfaced rivetable contact points can be made, and which 
is also applicable to many other purposes requiring in- 
corrodible acid-proof, strong metal, as tooth pins, com- 
mutator segments, jewelry, anodes, etc. This is made of 
tungsten and a metal of the iron class of which nickel is 
much the best. The proportion of tungsten is preferably 
85 to 95 per cent. For some purpose it is advantageous 
to have some molybdenum. This method herein disclosed 
may be applied to the manufacture of molybdenum articles 
containing small proportions of tungsten or no tungsten. 
A small proportion, say 0.5 to 3 per cent, of molybdenum, 
makes a material of even more noble characteristics than 
tungsten alone. 

The material can be swaged and worked to produce 
bodies of compact metal which can be headed up or riveted 
into place. 

Fine powdered tungsten of cryptocrystalline or semi- 
amorphous character is used. This should be sufficiently 
fine to pass through a 200-mesh sieve, but not be complete- 
ly impalpable or colloid. The best material is dark gray 
and free from perceptible brownish spots- or hue. The 
material may have a slight brownish cast, but is best not 
distinctly brown. It is best not coarsely crystalline. It 
need not be perfectly pure, a certain amount of impurities 
indeed appearing to facilitate the operation. It may be 
made by reduction from commercial tungstic oxide (or 
tungstic acid) by hydrogen. The oxide may contain about 
,0.2 per cent, of alkalis and about the same amount of phos- 
phoric acid. Thisi can be reduced by hydrogen in a fur- 
nace, care being taken that the temperature rises quite 
slowly and that the metal remains amorphous without be- 
coming coarse and crystalline. A small amount of oxygen 
is left in the material. 

This tungsten is mixed with finely divided nickel, which 
may be also obtained by a similar reduction, as of nickel 
oxide or oxalate at a low temperature. The temperature 
in reduction should not rise quickly enough to make the 

53 



metal coarse grained. It should be amorphous and as 
fine grained as possible. The nickel should be completely 
impalpable. Metal produced from the oxalate is finer 
than that from the oxide. The reduction may be per- 
formed at about 300° C, and some oxygen is allowed to re- 
main, not over 2 per cent. This powder is often pyro- 
phoric. 

These two metals are now mixed. A mixture of 85 to 
95 per cent, tungsten, and 15 to 5 per cent, of nickel is 
useful. A material of 6 to 8 per cent, is suitable for con- 
tact points. A little more nickel (say a few tenths per 
cent) than is desired in the final material is used, to allow 
for losses by volatilization. 

The mixed metals are now pressed into bars or slabs, a 
solution of camphor in ether being used as a temporary 
binder. A bar of square cross-section, y± inch on the side 
and 8 inches long, may be made from 85 gms. of the mix- 
ture, and this size is desirable in the process. 

This bar is sintered in a hydrogen atmosphere Heat- 
ing, which may be by fire heat, should be gradual to pre- 
vent disruption by volatilization or carbonization of the 
binder. The best temperature, is 800 to 1100° C, and the 
treatment may be for 10 minutes. The slug is then al- 
lowed to cool in a non-oxidizing atmosphere; when it will 
have a light gray color and present the appearance of a 
hard, coked mass. It is then exceedingly brittle. 

The slug is now heated in a plurality of temperature 
stages, with a pause at each stage, in an atmosphere of 
hydrogen, by passing a current through the slug. The 
first heating should be to about 1200° C, for about 5 min- 
utes. This eliminates the impurities and the oxygen. 

The temperature is again raised, to about 1400° C. The 
mass now shrinks considerably. The heating is in a hydro- 
gen atmosphere, for about 5 minutes. 

The shrunk billet is now heated to about 1600° C, at 
which temperature nickel is freely fluid, for about 5 min- 
utes. This produces a hard, dense body, which may be 
swaged or rolled, becoming more compact, tenacious, and 

54 



hard with each working. Either hot or cold swaging may 
be resorted to, and annealing may be employed. 

In hot swaging, the slug may be reheated to 1200°-1500° 
C, 1400° C. being the best for a material containing 6 to 
S per cent, of nickel. It is then worked at about 5,000 
blows per minute, being reheated at intervals. As the op- 
eration progresses, the temperature may drop and the 
speed of the swaging machine may be increased to 7,000 
blows per minute. In making contact elements, the slug 
may be reduced to a round body of 0.16 to 0.125 inch. 
Pieces of this round body or rod may be given a shank by 
an emery or carborundum wheel. 

This shank may be upset or headed with a prick punch. 
A wafer or disk of the metal may be welded to a shank of 
another metal to give a composite element. 

The slug may be cold swaged, being annealed after 
each three or five passes, or after a reduction of 0.025 inch 
in diameter. 

A material with 6 to 8 per cent, nickel has a higher melt- 
ing point than platinum and suffers little erosion, when 
used for electrical purposes. It is extremely acid resistant, 
making it suitable for toothpins, anodes, etc. 

Iron or cobalt may be used instead of nickel, in whole or 
in part. 

I claim : 

1. As a new material, a hard, dense, relatively conduc- 
tive, mechanically homogeneous fine-grained metallic mass, 
mainly composed of particles of a metal of the tungsten 
class, but also containing another and bonding metal of 
lower melting point, said mass being substantially non- 
ductile, but malleable to an extent which will permit swag- 
ing hot or cold. 

2. In the manufacture of tungsten materials, the 
process which comprises mixing a finely-grained metal of 
the tungsten class with another metal of lower melting 
point, heating the mixture to a temperature at which said 

55 



other metal is freely fluid and holding at this temperature 
sufficiently long to permit a limited degree of interpene- 
tration without complete alloying of the two metals. 

1,236,3%, Fahremoald, Aug. 7, 1917 

(This patent may be used free by any person in the 
United States.) 

This invention relates to a composition of matter con- 
taining tungsten and molybdenum, together with the 
process of making the same. Owing to the extremely ele- 
vated melting points of these materials it has so far been 
impossible to alloy either with the other or with any other 
substance by the usual fusion methods. The present in- 
vention relates to the method of incorporating these two 
metals together, without the necessity for fusion, and sub- 
sequently, by repeated mechanical working under prede- 
termined temperature and metallographic conditions, to 
reduce the composition to such a state of malleability, duc- 
tility and tensile strength as shall fit it for use in the arts. 

My researches have shown that the strength and duc- 
tility of these metals depends upon the fostering of an 
amorphous condition therein as against a crystalline con- 
dition. 

With tungsten and molybdenum and gold, the amor- 
phous condition is produced most quickly and in the larg- 
est possible degree when the cold working of the metal is 
commenced at the lowest practicable temperature, al- 
though this temperature will vary, depending upon the vio- 
lence of the mechanical forces to which the mass is sub- 
jected. Thus, if metallic crystalline tungsten is merely 
forged by hammering between comparatively flat surfaces, 
the metal will preserve its integrity at a. considerably 
lower temperature than if it be swaged, rolled, drawn or 
otherwise more vigorously distorted. 

The maximum amorphous condition is secured in most 
uniform measure, when the structure of the tungsten metal 
at the beginning of the mechanical cold-working consists 
of a uniform formation of comparatively fine crystals, and 

5G 



this can be secured with pure tungsten, pure molybdenum, 
and with alloys of the two, in any desired proportion, by 
suitable heat treatment of the material just prior to the 
beginning of the cold-working. In the case of both of these 
metals, the reduction temperature is far less than the 
fusion temperature, wherefore, the metallic substances are 
originally obtained in the form of amorphous powders. 
These powders, either pure, or mixed in any desired propor- 
tion, are compacted into briquets under a pressure of 
about 200,000 pounds. With a tungsten briquet of this 
nature, the most satisfactory crystalline condition is ob- 
tained when the material was subjected for about 10 min- 
utes to a temperature of about 2600° C. If the tempera- 
ture much exceeds this, the briquet becomes more coarsely 
and irregularly crystalline, and at temperatures much less 
than 2600° C, the crystalline structure, is not sufficiently 
pronounced. 

Within certain limits the lower the sintering or heat 
treating temperature, the higher is the initial temperature 
necessary for forging. While cold-working is more im- 
portant than hot-working to produce the amorphous con- 
dition desired, the cold-working stage must be approached 
by such slow degrees as shall prevent the destruction of 
the material in the process; for until sufficient amorphous 
material has been built into the metal by mechanical work- 
ing at elevated, though constantly decreasing tempera- 
tures, the metal will not admit of any cold-working what- 
ever. With pure tungsten subjected to 2600° C, for prac- 
. tical shop work, about 1500° C. is recommended, if a more 
violent distortion be secured, as by swaging or rolling. 

With pure molybdenum, the same conditions are pres- 
ent, though the time and temperature required for heat 
treatment and the temperature required for forging are 
both. lower than for the treatment of tungsten. The best 
results have been obtained when a briquet made under a 
pressure of 200,000 pounds per square inch, was subjected 
for one minute to a temperature of about 2300° C. This 
inaot could be forged like tungsten, at about 1000^ C. 



5 



When the iugot is made of a mixture of molybdenum, the 
formation of crystal growths proceeds in the same manner. 

The mixed metals form true, solid solution alloys and 
possess the qualities of ductility, malleability, rigidity, 
elasticity, and tensile strength, in a most remarkable de- 
gree. These materials, because of their cheapness, strength, 
and resistance to corrosion, are peculiarly advantageous in 
many dental, scientific and philosophic uses. 

In many cases one of these alloys will be found far 
superior to either of these metals alone. Thus, in dental 
use, as in dental pins, it is frequently desirable to employ 
a rod or wire of great stiffness and reliability, yet with a 
minimum of size. In many cases tungsten appears to be 
satisfactory, especially when coated with gold or other 
non-oxidizable metal, as described in U. S. Patent No. 1,- 
228,194. An alloy of tin, tungsten and molybdenum is» 
superior. 

See U. S. Patent 1,246,552 on page 214. 
See IT. S. Patent 1,252,038 on page 306. 



58 



BRITISH PATENTS 

Class 1-A 

7,880 of 1885, Reitz 

This describes a bronze which has great power to resist 
the attack of acids and alkalies, so that it can be used 
instead of ebonite, porcelain, and like substances. This 
bronze consists of the following: Copper, 15 parts; tin, 
2.34 parts:; lead, 1.82 parts; antimony, 1 part. This al- 
loy is worked exactly like common bronze. It is stated 
that this new bronze "has already been used in chemical 
works." 

1473 of 1836, Lake 

This relates to a process for coating nickel with silver 
or platinum, or with alloys of these metals, for chemical 
apparatus. It is mentioned that alloys of silver and plati- 
num perfectly resist acids and alkalies. Sheets of nickel 
or its alloys, and platinum or silver- or their alloys, are 
united by placing the cleaned surfaces together and sub- 
jecting them to heat and pressure; the sheets to be united 
are enclosd within an envelope of sheet iron or copper or 
like material, which is folded about the compound plates 
to prevent access of air; this envelope is prevented from 
adhering to the plates by placing a layer of magnesia or 
lime on the surfaces. Nickel wire may be coated with 
platinum by folding a sheet of the latter round a core of 
the former and treating as above. 

26J)40 of 1907, The British Thomson-Houston Company, 

Limited 

This corresponds to U. S. Patent 901,428 on page 19, 
and 926,980 on page 163. 

59 



H'Ji'33 of 19(hS, Siemens <.(• Halske Aktiengesellschaft 

This corresponds to U. S. Patent 1,110,303. 

A known method of facilitating the mechanical working 
of tungsten consists in alloying or associating the metal 
with a more fusible metal and subsequently expelling the 
more fusible metal by heating. 

According to the present invention, objects of tungsten 
and nickel, which metals are known to alloy with each 
other, are made by intimately mixing the tungsten with 
nickel, and sintering the metals together by heating be- 
low the melting point of tungsten. There is thus pro- 
duced a ductile mass which can be further worked by draw- 
ing, rolling, hammering and the like. 

As compared with directly melting together tungsten 
and nickel, this process has the advantage that the diffi- 
culties of fusion are avoided and that vaporization of the 
other metal, generally unavoidable when the tungsten is 
fused, is obviated. 

When used in suitable proportion, nickel yields with 
tungsten extremely ductile masses, which have surprising 
properties. For example, when the nickel added amounts 
to 10 to 12 per cent., there may be obtained a metal mass, 
which is nearly insensitive towards chemical reagents', 
possesses surprising elasticity and great hardness and can 
be easily hammered, rolled or drawn. 

If objects of pure tungsten are to be made, or objects 
of tungsten with only quite small proportions of nickel, 
the latter metal can be wholly or partly expelled by heat- 
ing in a vacuum. The heating is advantageously effected 
by passage of an electric current through the object. 

The aforesaid properties are exhibited only by those al- 
loys in which the percentage of nickel is not less than 
about one and the percentage of the tungsten is not less 
than about sixty. If a smaller percentage of tungsten is 
present, the removal of the nickel by an electric current 
in a vacuum is not possible without melting the alloy. If 
less than 1 per cent, of nickel is present the ductility is 
still verv low, and only with some 5 per cent, and more is 

60 



an alloy obtained which fulfills all the requirements. A 
most suitable alloy consists of a mixture of about 85-95 per 
cent, of tungsten and 15-5 per cent, of nickel, more es- 
pecially 90 per cent, of tungsten and 10 per cent, of nickel. 

In order to obtain an intimate combination of the nickel 
with the tungsten, it is advantageous to use one or both 
of the metals in the form of easily reducible chemical com- 
pounds ; for example, tungsten powder may be mixed with 
nickel oxide or tungstic acid may be mixed with nickel 
oxide, or- a plastic mass, which consists of colloidal tung- 
sten compounds, may be used in combination with nickel 
powder or with an easily reducible nickel compound. As 
plastic masses of tungsten compounds are particularly 
suitable, the masses described in British Patents Nos. 11,- 
716 of 1907, 16,489 of 1907 and 11,710 of 1908, which have 
a very high binding power and can be easily reduced to 
metallic tungsten by hydrogen may be used. The reduced 
metal being very finely distributed, unites with the added 
nickel very intimately and sinters with it to a very ductile 
mass, which can be easily worked to watch springs, chains, 
parts of apparatus such as points of pincers, knife blades, 
crucibles and the like, vessels or other objects. 

A colloidal solution of a tungsten compound which can 
be completely reduced by hydrogen, for example, colloidal 
tungstic acid, or better still, a colloidal plastic mass of 
tungsten compounds, such as is described in British Pat- 
ent No. 16,489 of 1907, forms a most suitable binding 
medium. When using such a binding medium the tungsten 
and nickel, finely powdered, or an oxide of tungsten and 
nickelous oxide are mixed with the reducible plastic mass 
of tungsten compounds, and a rod is fashioned from the 
mass thus obtained. This rod may contain oxides in such 
proportion that the finished material will contain 90 per 
cent, of tungsten and 10 per cent, of nickel ; it may be, for 
example, about 20 to 30 cm. in length and of about 1-2 mm. 
in diameter. The rod dries very easily and is then very 
solid; it is placed in an electric furnace consisting of an 
electrically heated tube. This tube may, for example, bo 

61 



made of carbon, reinforced with nickel or other metal of 
great heating capacity, most suitably of quartz. In this 
tube the rod is so placed that it does not come into con- 
tact with the walls of the tube. A stream of hydrogen is 
passed through the tube and the temperature gradually in- 
creased. The reduction of the rod by the hydrogen now 
begins, and in order that it may be completed and a rod 
obtained as uniform and solid as possible, it is advisable 
to increase the temperature quite gradually, so that after 
about an hour the temperature is about 1100° C. When 
this condition has been attained the temperature is cau- 
tiously raised until it is about 1510° C. 

If the metallic mass has not sufficient ductility after 
the sintering, it may be reheated to about the same tem- 
perature for some minutes. The softness and ductility of 
the mass are thus considered increased. 

The most favorable working conditions for making the 
ductile alloy must be determined, however, by experiment 
for each case. For instance, a uniform mixture of 10 per 
cent, of nickel with 90 per cent, of tungsten in a very finely 
divided state and in the form of a thin rod about 0.6 mm. 
thick, when heated in a current of hydrogen not very rapid, 
requires a temperature of about 1650° C, and should be 
heated for about 50 seconds. Thicker rods generally re- 
quire a longer heating, as stated above. 

19,564 of 1908, Siemens & Halske Aktien-Gesellschaft 

As a material for making projectiles there have been 
proposed alloys of tungsten and copper or nickel. These 
alloys, however, contain only a comparatively small pro- 
portion of tungsten, for example, 20 per cent, ; in our ex- 
perience they are brittle and are attacked by acids, so that 
they are inapplicable for the construction of parts of ap- 
paratus and tools that are liable to mechanical or chem- 
ical attack. 

According to the present invention, those parts of ap- 
paratus and tools which are exposed to mechanical or 
chemical attack are made of an alloy of nickel and tung- 

62 



steu which can easily be worked, namely, an alloy consist- 
ing of more than 60 per cent, of tungsten and more than 
1 per cent, of nickel. The excellent properties of alloys of 
nickel and tungsten, particularly their high mechanical 
and chemical resistance, are more marked when the propor- 
tion of nickel is small, such as in the alloy containing 
about 10 per cent, of nickel and obtained according to the 
process described in British Patent No. 17,438 of 1908. 
Such an alloy is very hard and at the same time very 
elastic and strong. It is also non-magnetic and has the 
advantage over tantalum, which has been suggested for the 
same purposes, that it does not become brittle when heat- 
ed; moreover, it is much cheaper than tantalum. At low 
temperatures its resistance to both mechanical and chem- 
ical attack is very great ; even aquaregia scarcely attacks 
it. It can be used in the manufacture of watch springs, 
pens, the points of pincers and for other parts of appara- 
tus and tools which ai'e liable to mechanical or chemical 
attack. 

See British Patent 22,237 of 1908, page 311. 

26,380 of 1908, Landenberger 

This corresponds to U. S. Patent 964,122 on page 20. 

This invention relates to an improved process for the 
manufacture of metallic alloys, consisting of copper and 
zinc with such metals as iron, chromium, manganese, tung- 
sten, nickel, cobalt and vanadium, which enables a ma- 
terial of high technical value to be produced at a rel- 
atively low cost. 

In alloys of this kind it is a troublesome matter to fuse 
most of the metals mentioned above, and to amalgamate 
these with copper and zinc are found to be exceedingly diffi- 
cult operations, owing to the fact that they do not readily 
become alloyed ; such alloys as these are, however, of great 
importance for technical purposes. To avoid such diffi- 
culties it has heretofore been proposed to introduce one 

63 



of the constituent metals of the alloys, in the form of a 
chloride compound, but in accordance with my improved 
process, the desired alloys may be formed by taking a chlo- 
ride compound, as the raw or first material, and combin- 
ing this with copper and zinc in such a manner that the 
chloride compound is reduced by the alloying metal zinc 
itself, the alloy thus formed being added to copper in the 
molten state. 

In accordance with the process under the present in- 
vention a chromium-zinc-nickel alloy may be made as fol- 
lows : A quantity of the chloride corresponding to the de- 
sired percentage of chromium in the final alloy is taken 
and this chloride is reduced by zinc, the chromium liber- 
ated becoming alloyed in the nascent state with the zinc 
present in excess. The chromium-zinc alloy thus obtained 
is then melted and mixed with an appropriate quantity of 
copper. 

The process may be carried into practice in different 
ways ; for example, the zinc may be melted in a closed iron 
vessel with the necessary quantity of the desired chloride, 
an addition of about 2 per cent, of aluminium being found 
to greatly accelerate the reduction of the chloride, al- 
though I am aware that it has been proposed to use alu- 
minium in the manner of reducing agent in the manufac- 
ture of alloys. The zinc alloy thus obtained is then cast 
into bars and added to the molten copper. 

In this operation chloride of zinc is produced from the 
chlorides and the zinc, thereby affording the following ad- 
ditional advantage : As is known, in casting all alloys con- 
taining a certain quantity of zinc, oxide of zinc is pro- 
duced and forms accumulations frequently causing loose, 
spongy places in the Avails of the castings. 

This undesirable phenomenon does not arise in castings 
produced in accordance with the present process for the 
reason that the oxide of zinc produced is dissolved by the 
chloride of zinc and so does not impair the casting. 

As the chlorides of chromium, manganese and tungsten 
are exceedingly inexpensive as compared with the pure 

04 



metals, the present process renders it possible to produce 
the desired alloys at an extremely low price, such as has 
not hitherto been possible. The alloys with chromium and 
manganese are especially important. For instance, they 
present great strength at ordinary temperatures and also 
possess the important property that when heated to a high 
temperature they do not lose their strength. The chromium 
alloys also exhibit great resistance to chemical agents, be- 
cause in the manner already referred to, the chromium is 
reduced to the chloride and is alloyed in statu nascendi 
with the zinc ; moreover, the alloys are hardly attacked by 
such agents as sulphuric acid, nitric acid and hydrochloric 
acid. In the process described, chlorides may be added in 
such quantities that the final alloy may contain up to 5 
per cent, of the metal thus introduced without necessitat- 
ing heating to more than the melting point of copper. 

An alley produced in accordance with the present 
process and consisting of 1 per cent, of chromium or man- 
ganese, 58 parts of copper and 40 parts of zinc, presents a 
strength of 58 kilos, with a limit of elasticity of 29 kilos 
and extensibility of from 18 to 20 per cent. The metal is 
very readily worked, presents a fine grain, and compact 
castings may be made from it in the most difficult forms. 

Copper-zinc alloys with the addition of chromium or 
manganese manufactured in the known manner do not 
present the resistance to chemical agents referred to 
above. 

The following is an example of a method of carrying 
the process into practice, with exact quantitative propor- 
tions. 

In order to produce 100 kilos of bronze melt, 3.2 kgs. 
of chromium chloride with 10 kgs. of zinc, and after half 
an hour add 2 kgs. of aluminium ; cast the mass into blocks 
and add to 57 kgs. of molten copper. Instead of the 
chromium chloride, 2.5 kgs. of either of the manganese 
chlorides, viz., MnCL or Mn 2 Cl 6 (the former being found 
preferable), may be employed, the operation being other- 
wise exactly the same. With 4 per cent, of manganese 

65 



or chromium in the bronze, 10 kgs. of MnCl 2 or 12.8 kgs. 
of the Cr 2 Cl are used. 

28,608 of 1909, Riibel 

Alloys of low specific gravity contain magnesium, to- 
gether with one or more of the metals, iron, manganese, 
nickel and chromium. These alloys may also contain alu- 
minium, or zinc. Other alloys contain mostly mag- 
nesium which constitutes 90 to 97 per cent, of the alloy. 
In other alloys the magnesium may he replaced by cal- 
cium or beryllium. A specified alloy contains 90 per cent, 
of magnesium, 9 per cent, of copper and 1 per cent, of 
aluminium. Or 90 to 97 per cent, of magnesium may be 
combined with one or more of the metals of the iron group 
or with a combination of these metals and zinc. 

The chromium-magnesium alloy is distinguished by its 
exceedingly high resistance to chemical influences. 

29,123 of 1910, Johnson 

Platinum osmium alloys contain from 1 to 20 per cent, 
of osmium and are used for making vessels for scientific 
purposes. These alloys are more elastic than iridium-plati- 
num alloys. 

21,151 of 1911, Sefton-Jones 

This invention relates to the production of metallic 
articles, resistant to inorganic acids both in the diluted 
as well as in the concentrated state, and especially to re- 
ceptacles adapted to contain dilute nitric or hydrochloric 
or other corrosive acids. It is well known that whereas 
certain mineral acids, such as sulphuric acid, for instance, 
can be obtained when concentrated in ordinary cast-iron 
receptacles, without appreciably attacking the receptacles, 
more dilute acids and especially nitric and hydrochloric 
acids cannot be contained in such vessels. It is further 
known that the addition of chromium or silicon to iron in- 

G6 



creases its power of withstanding heat and chemical ac- 
tion, and also its hardness and brittleness. 

By this invention an alloy of iron and chromium with or 
without a percentage of silicon is obtained, having the 
property of resisting completely one or more acids such as 
nitric acid, nitric fumes, other oxides of nitrogen, sulphu- 
ric acid, etc., at high or low temperatures, while at the 
same time remaining sufficiently ductile to be capable of 
being cast and worked in the ordinary manner as easily as 
steel. These conditions are fulfilled from chrome-iron al- 
loys containing over 40 per cent, of chromium up to a 
maximum of 70 per cent, of the same. 

Should it be desired to add silicon to the chrome-iron 
alloy ( which depends upon the use to which the iron is to 
be put) then by addiing over 40 per cent., but not more 
than 70 per cent, of chromium, and not more than 18 per 
cent, of silicon to commercial pig-iron, a completely acid- 
proof alloy is obtained. These alloys are quite homo- 
geneous and can be worked in large quantities. 

•3,498 of 1912, Kunz-Krause 

This invention relates to a process for the production of 
a ceramic mass as a metal substitute for laboratory imple- 
ments and apparatus, such as saucers, crucibles, pestles, 
tubes, dishes, melting plates, etc., and also for implements 
for treating substances directly, such as spoons, spatulas, 
scrapers, and the like. 

Large quantities of metals of different kinds are used for 
the manufacture of laboratory implements and apparatus. 
For these purposes the precious metals, such as gold, sil- 
ver, platinum and the like, are required ; for instance, in the 
case of platinum spatulas for carrying out melting tests. 

According to this invention there is provided a ceramic 
mass applicable to certain definite purposes and practical 
uses as above stated, and which has a high conductivity 
for heat and electricity, and also has a high melting point. 

An example for carrying out this process is as follows : 



The object in this case being to produce a small spatula, 
such as is used in laboratories in producing melting tests. 

The usual form of spatula for which a substitute is pro- 
vided is, say, 2 times 3 cms. in dimension, and very thin. 
Such a spatula is made from porcelain of a refractory type 
in the well-known manner. 

To this porcelain spatula must be imparted the following- 
properties: Good conduction of heat, ready heating and 
uniform glowing; and secondly, capability of conducting 
electric currents. The porcelain spatula possesses none of 
these properties per se, and they are attained by impreg- 
nating it with metallic material. 

It is not to be understood that simple mixing is referred 
to. The simple admixture of metallic powder would prob- 
ably produce products wanting in uniformity and exhibit- 
ing the desired properties only in places ; moreover such a 
product would be very costly. The object is to provide a 
porcelain which is completely impregnated with the metal- 
lic material and in which the foundation material, and the 
metal form one homogeneous mass, so that a zone of metal 
results which is coherently diffused over and throughout 
the entire spatula, and behaves in a similar manner 
towards heat and electricity as if the foundation material 
were not present at all. 

Two methods can be used. In connection with both, 
the spatula should consist of an unglazed or biscuit porce- 
lain and be very porous. 

A metallic solution is preliminarily prepared. This 
solution, the impregnating agent, can be prepared in dif- 
ferent ways. One way consists in dissolving any suitable 
salt of the desired metal. Another way consists in dissolv- 
ing the oxides, hydroxides, or any other suitable com- 
pounds of the metals in question, or using the metallic com- 
pounds in suspension in a suitable liquid. 

According to the first method, the porcelain mass is 
mixed with this liquid, well kneaded so that it becomes 
uniformly saturated with the same, moulded in the form 
of the spatula, dried and burnt. While being burnt or 

08 



fired the. non-metallic constituents of the metallic com- 
pounds are volatilized and the metal remains distributed 
very finely and uniformly throughout the whole of the 
foundation substance. 

By the second method the preliminarily baked spatula 
is immersed in the liquid until it is saturated therewith 
and is then burnt or fired, the same result being obtained. 

The precious metals, such as platinum, gold, silver, etc., 
are produced in a finished condition by this process. The 
baser metals at first remain in the form of their oxides 
and are subsequently reduced by chemical reaction which 
takes place substantially during burning, by means of a 
reducing flame so as to form a layer sufficiently deep for 
the desired purpose. The quantity of metal may, of course, 
be regulated according to the strength of the solution em- 
ployed, depending on what is considered suitable for the 
purpose in view. For example, a solution containing 5 per 
cent, of metal may be employed. Even if stronger solu- 
tions are employed, the cost still remains small. 

'2,887 of 1913 Hay ties 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 1,057,828 on page 24. 

11,505 of 1913, Krupp Akt. 

This invention relates to vessels, tubes or the like for 
containing boiling lyes. 

The malleable iron hitherto mostly used for the manu- 
facture of such vessels, etc., is strongly attacked by the 
lyes. Experiments have shown that when exposed to the 
action of boiling soda lye, malleable iron lost about 25 
grams in weight per hour (calculated per square meter of 
superficial area). In order to obtain vessels which are 
strong and at the same time capable of resisting the ac- 
tion of lyes, it has been proposed to use nickel steel and a 
considerable reduction of the loss in weight has, it is true, 
been thereby effected. 

G9 



Experience shows, however, that nickel steel of ordi- 
nary composition does not satisfy high requirements in its 
power of resistance to attack by boiling lyes. Now, ac- 
cording to this invention, it is possible, by using a nickel 
steel containing 25 per cent, and more of nickel, to obtain 
so high a power of resistance to attack by lyes, that the 
loss in weight can be practically neglected. By rendering 
the nickel steel passive, that is to say, by coating the ex- 
ternal surface thereof with a thin layer of oxide, it is pos- 
sible to prevent the steel from becoming attacked by the 
boiling Ive at all. 

In order to increase the mechanical strength of the 
steel, y 2 to 2 per cent, of chromium may be added to the 
nickel steel, without prejudicially affecting the power of 
resistance of the metal to attack by the lyes. 

See British Patent 13,413 of 1913, page 228. 

13,415 of 1913, Pasel 

This invention relates to metal articles such as vessels, 
tubes, parts of machinery, etc., which articles require 
great power of resistance to attack by acids and also great 
strength. The invention consists in employing for the 
manufacture of these articles, steel alloys which contain 
from 15 per cent, to 40 per cent, of chromium ; 20 per cent, 
to 4 per cent, of nickel, and up to 1 per cent, of carbon, 
within which limits the chromium and nickel contents may 
be chosen as may be desired. 

It has long been determined by experiments, that steel 
alloys of the above described composition possess a very 
great power of resistance to attack by acids, particularly 
nitric acid, and at the same time possess great strength. 

By heating the alloys to from 1100° to 1200° C, and 
subsequently rapidly or slowly cooling them down, these 
alloys attain very great toughness and are also rendered 
capable of being satisfactorily worked so that they can be 
worked up into sheets and tubes without difficulty 

70 



18,212 of 1913, Borchers 

Iron, nickel, cobalt and their alloys with one another, 
are obtained in the passive state by alloying them in quan- 
tities ranging between 65 and 72 per cent,, with between 
34.5 and 25 per cent. of. chromium and between 5 and 0.3 
per cent, of one or more of the metals molybdenum, tung- 
sten, platinum, iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium and 
ruthenium, together with one or more of the metals gold, 
silver, and copper in a total amount ranging between 2 and 
0.2 per cent. Impurities such as carbon, silicon, etc., may be 
removed during the melting of the metals, by adding ox- 
ides of these metals, the final traces of oxygen being re- 
moved by an addition Of magnesium or magnesium alloys. 

ll^J^S °f 191 ~b Ohemische Fabrik Greisheim-Elektron, 

It has been heretofore considered that all metals, with 
the exception of gold, platinum and a few metals of the 
platinum group, are oxidized by ozone. 

An alloy of chromium and iron and especially alloys 
which contain more than 25 per cent, of chromium, have 
the power of resisting the action of ozone to a remarkable 
degree. 

Owing to the strong action of the ozone on iron, it could 
not have been predicted that 25 per cent, of chromium 
would px*otect iron from the oxidizing effects of the ozone. 

We have further found that the resistance of alloys of 
chromium with iron to the action of ozone will be greatly 
increased, if the constituents, chromium and iron, be as 
pure as possible and especially if they be free, or as nearly 
free as possible, from carbon. At least 25 per cent, of 
chromium will be required to impart to the alloy the re- 
quired resistance to the action of the ozone. The upper 
limit may vary, but generally speaking, an addition of 40 
per cent, of chromium should not be exceeded. 

The alloys can be obtained by fusion either by the alu- 
mino-thermic process, or by the fusion together of their con- 
stituents. In the manufacture of alloys of chromium with 

71 



iron poor in carbon and capable of resisting the action of 
ozone, it is best to start from iron and from chromium 
which are both poor in carbon. The melting process is to 
be so conducted that the absorption of carbon is avoided, 
or as far as possible avoided, and it will therefore be 
advisable to carry out the melting operation on an acid, or 
basic bed, or in crucibles with an acid, or basic lining. In 
order to insure an intimate mixture, powerful and pro- 
tracted heating is necessary. A covering of slag prevents 
too large a waste of material. The melting point of these 
alloys is from about 1450° to 1470° C. The alloys of iron 
and chromium which are free from carbon, or are but poor 
in carbon, are characterized by their special power for re- 
sisting the action of ozone even in the presence of water. 
They have a homogeneous texture, and a uniform grain, 
like ingot iron, and like it, they are ductile, and readily 
acted upon by tools. They can readily be cast, rolled, 
forged and drawn. If the apparatus, or appliances, are 
required to be capable of being easily tooled in making 
them it is necessary to resort to alloys of iron and chro- 
mium poor in carbon which have the especial advantage 
of a greater resistance to the action of ozone. 

The alloys described can, if desired, be used for linings 
of the apparatus or appliances, instead of making the ap- 
paratus, or appliances, wholly of such alloys. 

Having now particularly described and ascertained the 
nature of our said invention, and in what manner the 
same is to be performed, we declare that we are aware it 
has been proposed to use, for the manufacture of acid and 
heat-resisting articles, a ductile chromium-iron alloy 
formed by the addition to pig-iron of over 40 per cent., 
but not more than 70 per cent, of chromium, and also to 
combine with such an alloy up to 18 per cent, of silicon, 
and we make no claim to the manufacture or use of such 
articles for the said purpose. 

See British Patent 8,327 of 1915, on page 312. 



U. S. PATENTS 

Class 1-B 

38,301, Farmer, April 28, 1862 

Copper and aluminium are alloyed with one or more 
light colored metals such as silver, zinc, tin, nickel, plati- 
num, or iron. The alloys contain between 80 and 98 per 
cent, of copper, and the remainder consists of light colored 
metals ; of the light colored metals from 10 to 95 per cent, 
should be aluminium. Preferably the constituents are 
combined in molecular proportions which are stated to- 
gether with the corresponding percentage composition. 
Neglecting fractions, these proportions are as follows, for 
various types of alloys : 

1. Alloys of 91 to 94 per cent, of copper, 6 to 4 of alu- 
minium, and 2 to 1 of silver, resembling gold and termed 
"chrysoids," are used for watch cases, chains, and jewelry. 

They are hard, tenacious, and ductile. 

2. Alloys of 86 to 93 per cent, of copper, 6 to 3 of alu- 
minium and 7 to 4 of zinc are used for wire and have high 
tensile strength. 

3. Alloys for gun metal and wire consist of 92 to 94 
per cent, of copper, 2 to 4 per cent, of aluminium, and 5 
to 1 per cent, of iron ; or of 83 to 86 per cent, of copper, 3 
to 2 of aluminium, 8 to 5 per cent, of zinc, and 6 to 5 per 
cent, of iron. 

4. About 2 per cent, of nickel or platinum is alloyed 
with 91 of copper and 6 of aluminium. 

The platinum or the silver give a high luster to the 
alloy, and the introduction of the platinum renders the al- 
loys less affected by acids. 

73 



81,516, Asheroft, Sept. 1, 1868 

The object of my invention is to provide such metals or 
compositions of metals as will not become corroded by 
the action of water, steam, air, nor by any other action to 
which valves are exposed. 

My invention consists in making these valves from the 
following non-corrosive alloys or metals, any and all of 
which answer the purpose more or less perfectly : 

First, an alloy of nickel and copper, free from zinc. 

Second, aluminium, alone or alloyed. 

Third, an alloy of gold or silver. 

Fourth, combinations of the above. 

I do not confine myself to any exact proportions in cast- 
ing these alloys, but, to enable others skilled in the art 
to make use of the first one mentioned, will state that I 
have found an alloy containing from 25 to 50 per cent, of 
nickel, with from 50 to 75 per cent, of copper (entirely 
free from zinc ) , to be non-corrosive. 

309,011, Tobin, Dec. 9, 1884 

My invention relates to certain improvements in com- 
positions of metals. 

I find from actual practice that owing to certain 
peculiarities of my metal it is specially adapted for piston- 
rings and other rubbing-surfaces, such as the wearing-facts 
of slide-valves, cross-head guides, and linings for pump- 
cylinders; also, owing to its non-corrosive character, it is 
eminently suitable for any part of an engine in which the 
metal comes in contact with sea-air, sea-water, or chemical 
vapors. Owing to the great strength and comparative low 
cost, these alloys can be economically employed in making 
shafting for launch machinery, tubing, plates, and sheath- 
ing for vessels, torpedo boats, boiler-plates, rods, rivets, 
castings for bronzes, angle-bars, lightning-rods, and wires, 
including telegraphic and telephonic wire, for which it is 
peculiarly adapted on account of its nature as a conductor 
of electricity and ability to withstand strains, thereby ob- 



viating sagging when the poles are spaced at long dis- 
tances. 

For the production of one of my high-test alloys I take, 
for example, 58.22 parts of copper, 39.48 parts of zinc, 
and 2.30 parts of tin, and preferably melt the tin and cop- 
per separately, and then mix the two, and finally add all 
the zinc, care being taken during the melting operation to 
provide a reducing atmosphere or otherwise avoid contact 
of the air, as well as volatilization of the constituent ele- 
ments of the alloy. 

The metals, when thoroughly combined by stirring, may 
be poured into sand or metal moulds. 

I find that the carefully purified and deoxidized com- 
positions of copper, zinc, and tin are phenomenally tough. 
They are also bright in color, and not easily tarnished, and, 
as above stated, approximate the remarkable qualities of 
the typical formula. 

■573,615, Placet, Dec. 22, 1896 

We have ascertained by many experiments that metals 
and alloys are greatly improved by the addition, even in 
minute quantities, of chrome. Up to this day these experi- 
ments could not be made because the chrome, which was 
heretofore obtained at high temperatures, was not pure 
chrome, but simply a carburet of chrome more or less im- 
pure. It was impossible to drive off the carbon and other 
impurities which this carburet of chrome contained, and 
consequently when it was attempted to make alloys with 
this carburet of chrome they (these alloys) were found to 
be completely changed or altered by the carbon and the 
other impurities which this carburet of chrome carried 
with it. It is no longer so with the chrome which we have 
obtained by electrolysis. This chrome is absolutely pure 
and improves all the metals or alloys with which it may 
be associated, communicating to them qualities which are 
its own. It lenders them harder, more resisting to shocks, 
to traction, and to friction. It renders them inalterable 

75 



uiider the destructive action of the atmosphere, dampness, 
acids, and high temperatures. We obtain these new alloys 
by introducing directly into the metal or alloy while in 
fusion pure chrome in desired proportions according to 
the quality of the metal we wish to obtain. Although 
chrome does not melt except at an excessively high tem- 
perature, which is very difficult to obtain in ordinary fur- 
naces, we nevertheless obtain perfect alloys of chrome and 
other metals and alloys without necessarily reaching the 
point of fusion of chrome. This singular fact may be ex- 
plained by stating that in such case as we have in view a 
veritable solution of chrome is effected in the other metals 
in fusion. 

Sometimes in order to facilitate the formation of the 
alloy of chrome with other metals Ave add to the alloy (in 
formation) one or more metals which act as auxiliaries, 
such as zinc, manganese, magnesium, aluminium, anti- 
mony, bismuth, palladium, amalgam of sodium, etc., or we 
add oxides or salts, which by their decomposition at a high 
temperature leave in the alloy a metal or a body Avhich fa- 
cilitates the fusion or the formation of the alloy, such as 
oxide of zinc, oxide of manganese, permanganates, fluosili- 
cates, borates, cyanides, fluorides, chlorides, phosphides, 
silicides, etc., or of metals which we desire to alloy. 

To prevent the oxidation of the chrome at the time that 
we introduce our alloys, we preliminarily cover the pieces 
of chrome of more or less thickness with metal which pro- 
tects them, such as copper, nickel, gold, silver, zinc, tin, 
platinum, etc. The coating of the chromium with a less 
oxidizable metal may be effected by electrolytic action in 
the well-known manner of electroplating; but the coating 
may be applied in any convenient manner. A few thou- 
sandths of pure chrome added to copper, nickel, alu- 
minium, gold, or silver, zinc, lead, tin, etc., suffices to in- 
crease in marked degree the hardness and tenacity of these 
metals. We employ often chrome at from 0.5 per cent, to 
15 per cent, or 20 per cent. The alloys with the highest 
proportions of chrome are generally so hard that they can- 

76 



not be worked except on the emery-wheel or other similar 
grinding device. 

The following are, as a matter of example, some of the 
advantageous results which are produced by the chrome 
upon metals and alloys : Chrome added in the proportions 
from 0.5 per cent, to 20 per cent, to copper- or copper al- 
loys, such as bronzes, brasses, German silver, etc., im- 
proves the metal to such a point that their resistance to 
rupture becomes equal to that of steel. A small quantity 
of chrome added to monetary alloys renders them more 
inalterable and more resisting to friction. A little chrome 
added to the printing-type renders the alloys more resist- 
ing to pressure and to the indispensable cleaning. The 
chrome renders metals or alloys more resisting to high 
temperatures for the manufacture of twyers, bed- plates of 
fire-places, etc., and other implements used in connection 
with furnaces, etc. It also renders them more resisting 
to acids, to alkalies, and to other chemical products for 
the manufacture of chemical apparatus and culinary 
utensils. The chrome in increasing the hardness of metals 
renders them more sonorous, and to this end can be used 
in the manufacture of bells, trumpets, piano-wires, etc. It 
also increases the electrical resistance of manganese, ferro- 
manganese, ferronickel, and other metals which serve the 
purpose of making wires of high electrical resistance. 
Chrome added to copper, .platinum, palladium, manganese, 
tungsten, cadmium, etc., increases the anti-magnetic prop- 
erties of these metals, and are used in the construction of 
.watches, chronometers, and other instruments which 
should be insensible to magnetic perturbations. 

518^65, Pamaoott, March 9, 1897 

The object of this invention is to produce a white metal- 
lic alloy of good color, great tensile strength and elasticity, 
non-corrodible, impervious to the action of hydrochloric 
acid in sea-water, and all atmospheric influences, suitable 
for use in sea-water, for machinery, and all domestic pur- 
poses and appliances. 

77 



The proportions of the metals used are, by weight, say, 
copper, 44 ; nickel, 20 ; spelter, 25 ; iron, 7 ; cobalt, 3 ; mag- 
nesium, 1 ; total, 100. 

The order of mixing the metals is as follows : First, I 
melt the nickel, and after clearing it from impurities to 
refine and toughen it I add the magnesium in minute 
charges while well stirring with plumbago rods. I then 
mix in an equal quantity of copper. Second, in another 
crucible I melt the other portion of copper with the iron 
and cobalt, and when they are thoroughly fused I pour the 
contents into the first- mentioned mass, keeping the same 
well stirred. When I see the metals are assuming the de- 
sired color, I stir with a charred wooden rod and add the 
spelter and keep stirring until all the dross and impurities 
are on the top of the crucible. I then skim off same and 
pour the fluid alloy quickly into ingots or moulds, as re- 
quired. 

These alloys will resist oxidation, polish most brilliantly, 
and always retain their color — in fact, improve in appear- 
ance by wear, and will withstand the destructive influence 
of hydrochloric acid in sea-water and resist chemical fumes 
and atmospheric impurities. 

633,743, Van Wart, Sept. 26, 1899 

An aluminium alloy which has extreme non-corrosive- 
ness is made up as follows: 

Aluminium 100 parts 

Copper 1 to 10 parts 

Zinc % to 6 parts 

Silver % to 6 parts 

Tin % to 4 parts 

Phosphorus 1/16 to 1 part 

The copper is first melted and then the zinc and silver 
are added and stirred. The aluminium is then added. The 
pot is then withdrawn, and the tin is added together with 
the phosphorus. 

The mixture is now well stirred. 

78 



666,610, Hennig, Jan. 29, 1901 

Alloys consisting of 50 to 65 parts of copper, 33 to 50 
parts of zinc, 1 to 15 parts of iron and from 1/6 to 8 parts 
of manganese (or cobalt) have great tensile strength and 
are not readily acted upon by acids or alkalis. 

682,330, Leyendeoker, Sept. 10, 1901 

By adding a small amount of copper to lead, the amount 
of copper being from 1/10 to 5/10 per cent, of the quantity 
of lead, it is rendered much less sensitive to the action of 
acids and other chemicals. 

Another suitable alloy is 1,000 parts of lead, 1 to 5 parts 
of copper and 1 to 3 parts of antimony. 

909,283, Clap®, May 2, 1908 

This invention is a ferrous alloy, or steel, characterized 
by great hardness, toughness, tensile strength and resist- 
ance to corrosion. 

The alloy primarily comprises iron, iridium and plati- 
num. Percentage of iron may be from 40 to 90 ; of iridium 
from 1 to 30 ; and of platinum from 0.2 to 10. The iridium 
acts as a hardening agent and the platinum in the iron 
prevents segregation upon cooling, and produces a homo- 
geneous fine-grained product. It is found desirable to add 
to the alloy molybdenum and preferably copper and nickel. 
The percentage of molybdenum may vary from 1 to 51 ; of 
copper from 0.5 to 15; and of nickel from 0.5 to 15. In 
producing the alloy the iron, for example, in the form of 
open-hearth steel, may be first melted and the other metals 
added thereto. 

I claim : 

1. An alloy comprising iron, iridium, and platinum, the 
percentage of iron being greater than that of the iridium 
or platinum. 



2. An alloy comprising iron, iridium, platinum, and a 
metal or metals capable of facilitating solutions of the 
iridium and platinum in molten iron. 

3. An alloy comprising iron, iridium, platinum and 
molybdenum. 

See IT. S. Patent 981,542 on page 171. 
See U. S. Patent 993,042 on page 174. 

1, 005. 115, Hatlanek, Oct. 3, 1911 

It is well known that the residues of the combustion of 
the explosive substances employed adhere to those parts of 
firearms which are brought into contact with the powder 
gases and cause rusting of these parts, where they are 
made of steel and are not thoroughly cleaned very soon 
after shooting. This rusting action is so powerful that 
the spots and pits of rust, which form when the weapon is 
insufficiently cleaned, impair its shooting accuracy to such 
an extent as to make the weapon quite useless. This rust- 
ing becomes still worse if accompanied by moisture for 
which reason it makes itself evident with particular un- 
pleasantness in damp weather. Now, experiments which 
have been carried out show that nickel steel alloyed Avith 
copper possesses, in addition to the power of resistance 
imparted to it against repeated heating and cooling by 
alloying it with copper, an additional and surprising power 
of resisting the rusting action of nitric acid, nitric anhy- 
dride, carbonic acid and moisture, whereby a steel of this 
kind is particularly suitable for resisting the rust pro- 
ducing action of the residues of the explosive substances 
used in firearms. This power of resistance to rusting be- 
comes specially evident when the percentage of nickel is 
made slightly higher, notwithstanding the fact that it is 
well known that nickel possesses little power of resistance 
to nitric acid. It has been found that a steel containing 7 
per cent, of nickel in addition to 4 per cent, of copper re- 
mains practically free from rust, upon being subjected for 

80 



days to the simultaneous action of the vapors of nitric acid, 
nitric anhydride, carbonic acid and a moist atmosphere. 

With regard to the manufacture of a steel of the com- 
position forming the subject matter of this invention, it is 
advisable to use as pure copper as possible as copper fre- 
quently contains substances which are injurious to steel. 
The copper may be added at any desired time to the steel. 
If the steel be manufactured in crucibles, the copper is 
best melted simultaneously with the steel ; if on the other 
hand the steel be manufactured in a Martin or electrical 
furnace it is advisable not to put the copper into the fur- 
nace until the end of the process, as it is easier in the ab- 
sence of the copper to determine the progress of the metal- 
lurgical process by the aid of tests taken from the bath. 
Earlier addition of the copper is of course not impossible. 
The nickel for the production of the nickel steel contain- 
ing copper may of course be added in exactly the same 
way and at the same time as in the production of a nickel 
steel, which does not contain any copper. An alloy of cop- 
per and nickel may of course also be used for the produc- 
tion of the copper nickel steel. 

I claim as my invention : 

As a new article of manufacture, a gun barrel or analo- 
gous object subject to repeated heating during use made 
of metal composed principally of ordinary steel alloyed 
with from 4 to 5 per cent. of. copper. 

1,040,027, Schmid, Oct. 1, 1912 

The invention relates to an alloy of copper and zinc 
having 56 to 62 per cent, copper, to which, as an exclusive 
adjunct, silicon and tin are added. A metal is then ob- 
tained, which, in a raw cast condition, combines all prop- 
erties of most value in practice, viz., high limit of elasticity, 
toughness, small liability to formation of hollow spaces, 
and, to separation when solidifying in the mould, high 
resistance to the attack of salt solutions (sea water), 
diluted acids, and alkalies, and no undue resistance to the 
action of cutting tools. Such alloys having 56 to 62 per 

81 



cent, copper; 43.3 to 35 per cent, zinc; 0.2 to 1.5 per cent, 
silicon and 0.5 to 1.5 per cent, tin have, in a raw cast con- 
dition, limits of elasticity of 12.7 to 19 tons per square 
inch, a tensile strength of 30.5 to 34.9 tons per square inch, 
extensions of 25 to 35 per cent., and a high resistance to 
the notch bending test. When becoming solid there is 
only a very slight tendency to the formation of hollow 
spaces and no separation even in the case of large castings. 
In acids, salt solutions, and alkalies, they are very durable. 
In spite of their high degree of toughness they can be 
easily shaped, planed, filed, turned, etc., and, when red 
hot, they can be wrought, rolled and pressed, and, at a nor- 
mal temperature, drawn, rolled and hammered. This is a 
result which is not obtained by any ordinary or special 
brass. 

As an example for the practical production of the alloy 
of copper, zinc, silicon, and tin forming the subject matter 
of the invention, the following proportions may be given : 
58 pounds copper are melted and well superheated, where- 
upon, while stirring said molten copper, 1 pound of silicon 
copper having 30 per cent, silicon, 1 pound tin and 40 
pounds zinc are dissolved. 

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of 
the United States is : 

1. An alloy of copper, zinc, tin and silicon containing 
56 to 62 per cent, of copper. 

2. An alloy of 56 to 62 per cent, copper, 43.3 to 35 per 
cent, zinc, 0.2 to 1.5 per cent, silicon and 0.5 to 15 per 
cent, tin, substantially as set forth. 

See U. S. Patent 1,057,423 on page 178. 

1,077,977, Fuller {Assigned to General Electric Co.), 

Nov. 11, 1918 

Nickel-copper alloys in which nickel predominates, 
possess very useful properties. This is particularly true 

82 



of Mouel metal, which is a natural alloy containing nickel, 
copper and a small percentage of other metals, such as iron 
and manganese, the ratio of nickel and copper being about 
2 to 1. This metal is non-oxidizable, even at a high tem- 
perature, is not affected by atmospheric conditions, and 
resists the corrosive action of acids ; salt water, etc. It is 
very strong, hard, ductile, and insusceptible of a very high 
polish. The relatively high cost of this metal and the fact 
that it is not easily workable as some more commonly 
used metals, however, tends to limit its use in the arts. 

This invention provides for a composite metal formed 
by uniting a Monel metal to a less expensive metal as 
iron or steel. 

This is done by an intermediate cupreous layer. The 
composite metal may be rolled, drawn, etc. A plate of 
the Monel metal may be united to a plate of iron or steel 
by inserting a sheet of copper between the plates and rais- 
ing the temperature to the melting point of copper in a 
non-oxidizing atmosphere, no compression of the plates and 
no flux being required. 

The Monel metal is preferably united to a plate of steel 
comprising about 0.13 per cent, carbon and 0.36 per cent, 
manganese. It is preferred to unite the plates in a hydro- 
gen atmosphere, although the process may be carried on in 
an electric vacuum furnace utilizing carbon electrode. 

The composite metal may be used for making any article 
subject to oxidizing or corroding influences, for lining 
ovens, etc. The Monel metal may be united to a high re- 
sistance alloy containing 77 per cent, iron, 17 per cent, 
nickel, 4 per cent, chromium, and 2 per cent, manganese. 

I claim : 

1. A composite metal body comprising a layer consisting 
mainly of iron and a layer of an alloy of nickel and copper 
in which nickel predominates, the said layers being in- 
timately united by a cupreous film or layer. 



83 



2. A composite metal comprising a plate of ferrous 
metal having a sheet of nickel-copper alloy united to each 
side thereof by a layer of copper. 

J, 126, 629, Gleason ^Assigned to Neu-Metals and Process 
Company) , Jan,. 26, 1915 

It is the object of my invention to provide an alloy that 
is practically non-corrosive, and which, though hard and 
tough, may be rolled to sheet form or readily machined 
without being annealed. 

Heretofore it has been assumed, as the result of experi- 
ence, that copper will not alloy with iron unless the latter 
be pure. Therefore, as the iron which I employ .contains 
carbon, it is to be understood that the capacity of the cop- 
per to alloy therewith is due to the presence of boron. 

In carrying out my process I prefer to first incorporate 
the boron in the copper, preferably by subjecting the cop- 
per to the action of boron fluoride while the copper is 
molten, which results in the deposit of boron in the graphi- 
toidal state in the copper when the latter cools. In form- 
ing my improved alloy I employ such boron copper in 
which boron is in excess, viz., in greater quantity than will 
combine with the copper and as the boron associates with 
iron as readily as silicon, regardless of the carbon content 
of the iron, the copper is thereby caused to alloy with the 
iron and carbon, forming a homogeneous mixture. For 
instance, by taking 80 parts Bessemer scrap and fusing 
it in a Hawley-Schwartz furnace and adding 20 parts of 
copper containing boron in excess, I produce an alloy which 
may be cast in ordinary sand moulds, forming castings 
which are homogeneous and easily machined. 

I claim : 

1. An alloy containing iron, boron and copper; includ- 
ing approximately 80 per cent, of iron. 

2. An alloy containing iron, copper and boron, the prin- 
cipal ingredient of which is iron. 

84 



1,151,160, Brown (Assigned to Edward R. Cooper), 

Aug. 2k, 1915 

This invention relates to alloys and processes of pro- 
ducing the same ; and it comprises as a new article an alloy 
comprising zirconium and iron, said alloy containing ad- 
vantageously between 40 and 90 per cent, of zirconium with 
the residue mainly iron, or an iron group metal, and said 
alloy alno advantageously comprising a certain amount of 
titanium, and also comprising in certain cases a small 
amount of aluminium or other metal ; and it also comprises 
a filament or other luminescent body composed of said 
alloy and it further comprises a method of producing such 
alloys wherein zirconium and iron compounds are co-re- 
duced in the presence of sufficient titanium compounds to 
produce certain advantageous effects and to insure the 
entry of a small amount of metallic titanium into the alloy 
produced; all as more fully hereinafter set forth and as 
claimed. . 

Numerous attempts have been made to obtain alloys 1 of 
zirconium which could be worked up into forms commer- 
cially useful, but such attempts have been heretofore 
largely unsuccessful. Zirconium itself is a hard, brittle 
substance existing in several allotropic forms, all of which 
are easily fractured and possess little or no ductility or 
malleability. These properties have also characterized 
practically all the alloys or metal mixtures heretofore pro- 
duced in which zirconium was present in more than com- 
paratively small proportions. Moreover it has been found 
extremely difficult to alloy zirconium with other metals by 
direct addition of the one metal to the other with produc- 
tion of uniform and homogeneous ductile and malleable al- 
loyed products; products which are susceptible of being 
treated by metal-working processes such as drawing, forg- 
ing, rolling, casting, and the like. The physical and chemi- 
cal properties of these directly produced alloys prevent 
such manipulation. 

According to the present invention true alloys of zir- 
conium with iron, or another metal of the iron family, are 

So 



produced by the simultaneous reduction of the constituent 
metals from compounds containing them. Under these 
conditions the zirconium and the iron group metals readily 
unite to form homogeneous alloys of varying composition 
depending upon the relative quantities of the materials 
employed and the conditions of reduction. The alloys thus 
produced are of a type hitherto unknown among metallic 
zirconium combinations. They exhibit practically no 
tendency to oxidize and are highly resistant to most chemi- 
cal reagents. In appearance they are truly metallic, and 
they can be produced in compact bodies which upon grind- 
ing and polishing, exhibit bright metallic surfaces of a sil- 
very steel-like luster. Alloys may be produced which are 
tough and are malleable and ductile in greater or less de- 
gree. They are adapted to be worked up into shaped 
articles having utility in many connections. 

A highly important application of these alloys is in the 
manufacture of drawn filaments, glowers or other lumi- 
nescent bodies for electric lamps. In use, the 'filaments 
have the property of selective radiation ( that is emit more 
light than corresponds to the temperature), and may be 
used to make lamps which require considerably less than 
the usual wattage per candlepower. They possess a re- 
markably high degree of luminescence at relatively low 
filament temperatures and are thus very efficient sources 
of light. While other metals of the iron group than iron 
itself, such as nickel, cobalt, or manganese, or alloys or 
mixtures thereof, are capable of use in the present inven- 
tion, they are not in practice as desirable as iron. For the 
present purposes, iron is by far the most satisfactory metal 
of the iron group. The relative proportions of iron and 
zirconium in alloys under the present invention may vary 
widely. For most purposes it is desirable to have pro- 
portions which will give alloys which are malleable and 
ductile, or have good tensile strength. For binary zir- 
conium-iron alloys, the proportion of zirconium should not 
fall much below, say, 40 per cent, or thereabout, since 
with lower percentages of this metal the advantageous 

86 



properties of the alloys are not sufficiently in evidence. 
Higher percentages of zirconium in such binary alloys are 
still more desirable for various reasons ; and the alloys of 
from approximately 60 to 90 per cent, zirconium content 
with 40 to 10 per cent, of iron are particularly advan- 
tageous. 

The excellence of these zirconium alloys may be consid- 
erably enhanced and many desirable properties attained 
by the inclusion of a small amount of titanium in the alloy, 
either by eo- reduction of titanium with the other constitu- 
ents, or by separate addition of titanium to a preformed 
alloy. The allowable amount of titanium so present is 
not rigidly restricted, but very small quantities prove effi- 
cacious in practice. As little as 0.10 per cent, serves the 
present purpose in some instances, and it is seldom neces- 
sary in alloys for most purposes that the titanium con- 
tent shall exceed 2 or 3 per cent. These small amounts 
of titanium give enhanced strength and toughness to the 
zirconium alloys, and also increase their electrical prop- 
erties. The ductility and malleability are also more pro- 
nounced. Furthermore, in the manufacture of these alloys 
by co-reduction of the component metals, the presence of 
the titanium compounds in the mixture reduced has a use- 
ful effect in preventing the undesirable retention of oxy- 
gen and oxygen compounds in the alloy or resultant melt. 
The presence of titanium also operates to exclude nitro- 
gen, carbon and other metalloids from the alloy produced. 
Oxygen and other metalloids have an undesirable effect on 
malleability, ductility and texture. Ternary alloys con- 
taining a certain amount of titanium with preponderating 
proportions of zirconium and iron have certain decided ad- 
vantages over the simple binary alloys for many purposes. 
Finally, the addition of small amounts of other metals 
such as aluminium, tantalum, columbium (niobium), etc., 
give quaternary and still more complex zirconium-iron al- 
loys which for some purposes offer particular advantages 
and in them the relative proportions of zirconium and iron 
may often, with advantage, vary more widely than in the 

87 



simple binary zirconium iron alloys. It is to be under- 
stood, however, that in all these alloys under the present 
invention the combined zirconium-iron content preponder- 
ates over the other metals. Typical analyses of quaternary 
alloys of the present invention comprising zirconium, iron, 
titanium and aluminium are as follows: zirconium 65.78 
per cent., 8.43 per cent., 32.97 per cent, ; iron, 26.39 per 
cent., 90.97 per cent., 49.21 per cent.; titanium, 0.12 per 
cent., 0.13 per cent., 0.42 per cent.; aluminium, 7.71 per 
cent., 0.47 per cent,, 17.40 per cent. 

The described alloys are substantially iron-zirconium 
alloys, other metals forming a minor fraction. And, for 
practical purposes, these alloys may be looked upon as zir- 
conium alloyed with iron or its equivalent, an iron-rich 
ferrous alloy. 

The process of making the described alloys under the 
present invention is one of co-reduction of compounds con- 
taining zirconium and iron in such a manner that the two 
metals are presented to each other in a nascent reactive 
condition. It is best that this reduction occur in the pres- 
ence of a titaniferous compound, since as before stated, the 
inclusion of a small percentage of titanium in the alloy 
produced is especially valuable and the presence of tita- 
nium during the reduction is desirable for the other rea- 
sons stated. A convenient method, especially where it is 
desired to have aluminium present in the alloy, as is often 
the case, is to reduce mixed oxides of iron and zirconium 
by means of finely divided aluminium, the reaction being 
started with any firing means or materials such as mag- 
nesium, barium oxides, etc. In making an alloy of iron 
and zirconium containing about 44.7 per cent, zirconium 
the following equation may serve to represent the reaction 
of reduction by aluminium : 

(Zr0 2 ) 3 + Fe 2 O s + (Al 2 ) 3 = ZrFe 2 + (A1 2 3 ) 3 . 

The process of reduction may also be carried out by suit- 
ably heating the mixed oxides in a graphite crucible as by 
means of the oxyacetylene flame, or electrically. Or, a 

88 



mixture of titaniferous oxide of iron, and the mineral zir- 
con, or other zirconium-containing materials, such as zir- 
conia together with suitable amounts of titaniferous min- 
erals such as rutile, ilmenite, sphene, titanic oxide, etc., 
may be heated as before described. Fluxes and slag form- 
ing bodies such as silica, soda, etc., may be employed. The 
mineral ilmenite is a source of titanium convenient to em- 
ploy in the present process. 

The alloys thus produced may be mechanically worked 
in any suitable way. In making filaments, the alloys, in 
the form of rods, produced by casting or by otherwise 
suitably shaping the alloys produced as above described 
may be heated to the necessary temperature, rolled, drawn, 
swaged or extruded through dies to size, the alloy rod be- 
ing conveniently heated by passage of a current there- 
through during drawing. With many of the present alloys 
no special precautions need be taken to avoid oxidation 
during working, but where necessary or desirable, work- 
ing may be carried on in vacuo or in an inert atmosphere. 

In addition to their utility for incandescent lamp fila- 
ments and for glowers, alloys under the present invention 
may be usefully employed in forming arcs. As stated, the 
present materials give out more light than is equivalent to 
their temperature. Being resistant to acids and corrosion, 
the alloys may be iised for various shaped articles for orna- 
mental and other purposes, such as spark points, etc. An- 
other field of utility for these alloys is in the manufac- 
ture of transformer elements. 

Halogen compounds, such as fluorides, chlorides, etc., 
of the various metals may be used in making the alloys by 
co-reduction ; but their use offers no advantage over that 
of the employment of the oxidized compounds of the metals 
as described. 

What I claim is : 

1. As a new article, an alloy comprising not less than 
about 40 per cent, and not more than about 90 per cent, 
zirconium together with an iron group metal. 

89 



2. As a new article, an alloy comprising not less than 
about 40 per cent, and not more than about 90 per cent, 
zirconium together with iron. 

3. As a new article, an alloy comprising approximately 
between 60 and 90 per cent, zirconium together with an 
iron group metal. 

4. As a new article, an alloy comprising approximately 
between 60 and 90 per cent, zirconium together with iron. 

See U. S. Patent 1,168,074 on page/f f- . 
See TJ. S. Patent 1,175,724 on page /f 7 • 

1,180,996, Gaskill {Assigned one-half to Charles F. John- 
son), April 25, 1916 

This invention relates to a new and a useful composition 
of matter, more particularly a white metal alloy which I 
call manganese silver, the object of the invention being to 
produce a novel and metallic compound or alloy which 
may be used advantageously as a substitute for nickel and 
which is extremely hard, preserves its color, resists oxida- 
tion and the tarnishing and corrosive effects of many gases 
and liquids and which is capable of being readily ma- 
chined, is also adapted to be rolled in sheets, is ductile, 
malleable, and which also may for certain specific purposes 
be advantageously used as a substitute for steel. 

The said invention consists of the composition of in- 
gredients hereinafter fully described and particularly 
pointed out in the claim. 

My improved composition consists of copper, nickel, zinc, 
manganese copper and in some instances also aluminium 
and phosphor tin. 

For making a composition which will machine, I take of 
copper, 56 parts; nickel, 15 parts; zinc, 25 parts; alu- 
minium, 1/10 per cent.; lead, 1% per cent.; manganese 
( pure, carbon free and free from iron ) , 4 ounces, and mag- 
nesium, 1 ounce. 

90 



To produce a composition from which castings can be 
made I use of copper 50 parts; nickel, 10 parts; zinc, 35 
parts; lead, 2 parts; aluminium alloy, 2 parts, and man- 
ganese, 1 part. 

To produce a composition especially adapted for use in 
the manufacture of surgical and dental instruments and 
the like I use copper, 33 parts; nickel, 33 parts; zinc, 32 
parts; manganese, 2 parts. 

To produce a composition which is ductile and which 
may be readily rolled in sheets and used for making cook- 
ing utensils, tableware, automobile rims, cans for ice cream 
freezers, shipping cans and the like, which will not cor- 
rode, rust or oxidize and which is free from poison in its 
composition I also provide of copper, 60 parts; nickel, 12 
parts; zinc, 18 parts; manganese, 5 parts; aluminium, 2 
parts ; magnesium, 1 part and phosphor tin, 2 parts. 

In the preparation of my composition I prefer to first 
melt the copper in a suitable crucible and as soon as the 
copper assumes the molten condition I add the quota of 
nickel, zinc, and the other ingredients and allow the same 
to become fused and cause the ingredients to be thoroughly 
mixed by occasional stirring. The composition is then com- 
plete and can be cast into whatever form may be desired. 

I claim : 

The herein described composition of matter containing 
copper, nickel, zinc, manganese, aluminium, magnesium 
and phosphor tin. 

See U. S. Patent 1,211,943 on page 199. 
See U. S. Patent 1,229,037 on page 212. 

1,21^,71$, Jones (Assigned one-half to Fred J. Molt), 

Oct. 30, 1917 

The object of my invention is the production of a com- 
position metal which has the appearance of silver and the 
strength of steel, but which will not rust by exposure to 

91 



the atmosphere or to anything else which ordinarily causes 
metals to corrode; a further object being to produce a 
metal which will resist most acids and which will take a 
high polish, can be cast or rolled into bars or sheets, or 
forged or otherwise fashioned into desired forms, and 
which is very tough and from which springs and like 
articles may also be formed. 

My composition consists of the following ingredients 
combined in the manner set out. 

Nickel 67.8 per cent. 

Copper 28.0 per cent. 

Manganese 02.5 per cent. 

Iron 01.5 per cent 

Vanadium 00.2 per cent 



100.0 per cent. 

In the practice of my invention the nickel, copper, man- 
ganese and iron are preferably first melted in any suitable 
furnace or crucible, and the vanadium is mingled there- 
with after the other metals have been melted and drawn 
into the ladle or in cases where crucibles are employed or 
used for melting, just before the metal is to be poured, or 
in other words, as soon as the melting product is taken 
from the furnace, and the product thus formed is thorough- 
ly stirred and the various component parts mingled. 

It is possible, however, to mingle all the component 
parts, including the vanadium, and then melt the prod- 
uct, but the process of procedure first above named is the 
one preferred. 

The vanadium adds considerably to the strength and 
toughness of the finished metal and the amount of vana- 
dium can be varied slightly, but should preferably never 
be over 1 per cent, of the total mixture, and when the 
amount of vanadium employed varies from the figures 
given in the formula, the amount of copper should also be 
varied to an equal extent. 

92 



I may also add carbon to the above ingredients, to the 
extent of from .18 to .20 per cent., and this will make the 
metal product harder, the temper depending on the per- 
centage of carbon employed. 

My invention is not limited to the exact proportions of 
the various ingredients thereof, as herein set out, and 
changes therein and modifications thereof may be made, 
within considerable limits, without departing from the 
spirit of the invention or sacrificing its advantages. 

I claim : 

1. The composition metal herein described containing 
nickel, copper, manganese, iron and vanadium. 

2. A metallic compound comprising nickel, copper, man- 
ganese, iron, vanadium and carbon, combined. 

See U. S. Patent No, 1,248,621 on page 215. 

1,2^8,61,8, Grenagle, Dec. 4, 1917 

This invention relates to alloys and processes of pro- 
ducing the same; and it comprises as a new article an 
alloy comprising zirconium and iron, said alloy contain- 
ing advantageously between 40 and 90 per cent, of zir- 
conium with the residue mainly iron, or an iron group 
metal, and said alloy also advantageously comprising a 
certain amount of titanium and also comprising in certain 
cases a small amount of aluminium or other metal; and 
it also comprises a filament or other luminescent body 
composed of said alloy and it further comprises a method 
of producing such alloys wherein zirconium and iron 
compounds are co-reduced in the presence of sufficient tita- 
nium compounds: to produce certain advantageous effects 
and to insure the entry of a small amount of metallic tita- 
nium into the alloy produced ; all as more fully hereinafter 
set forth and as claimed. 

Numerous attempts have been made to obtain alloys of 
zirconium which could be worked up into forms commer- 
cially useful, but such attempts have been heretofore large- 

93 



ly unsuccessful. Zirconium itself is a hard, brittle sub- 
stance existing in' several allotropic forms, all of which are 
easily fractured and possess little or no ductility or malle- 
ability. These properties have also characterized prac- 
tically all the alloys or metal mixtures heretofore pro- 
duced in which zirconium was present in more than com- 
paratively small proportions. Moreover it has been found 
extremety difficult to alloy zirconium with other metals 
by direct addition of the one metal to the other with pro- 
duction of uniform and homogeneous ductile and malleable 
idloyed products; products which are susceptible of beiug 
treated by metal-working processes such as drawing, forg- 
ing, rolling, casting and the like. The physical and chemi- 
cal properties of these directly produced alloys prevent 
such manipulation. 

According to the present invention true alloys of zir- 
conium with iron, or another metal of the iron family, are 
produced by the simultaneous reduction of the constituent 
metals from compounds containing them. Under these 
conditions the zirconium and the iron group metals readily 
unite to form homogeneous alloys of varying composition 
depending upon the relative quantities of the materials em- 
ployed and the conditions of reduction. The alloys thus 
produced are of a type hitherto unknown among metallic 
zirconium combinations. They exhibit practically no 
tendency to oxidize and are highly resistant to most chemi- 
cal reagents. In appearance they are truly metallic, and 
they can be produced in compact bodies which upon grind- 
ing and polishing, exhibit bright metallic surfaces of a 
silvery steel-like luster. Alloys may be produced which 
are tough and are malleable and ductile in greater or less 
degree. They are adapted to be worked up into shaped 
articles having utility in many connections. 

A highly important application of these alloys is in the 
manufacture of drawn filaments, glowers or other lumi- 
nescent bodies for electric lamps. In use, the filaments 
have the property of selective radiation ( that is emit more 
light than corresponds to the temperature), and may be 

94 



used to make lamps which require considerably less than 
the usual wattage per candlepower. They possess a re- 
markably high degree of luminescence at relatively low 
filament temperatures and are thus very efficient sources 
of light. While other metals of the iron group than iron 
itself, such as nickel, cobalt, or manganese, or alloys or 
mixtures thereof, are capable of use in the present inven- 
tion, they are not in practice as desirable as iron. For the 
present purposes, iron is by far the most satisfactory metal 
of the iron group. The relative proportions of iron and zir- 
conium in alloys under the present invention may vary 
widely. For most purposes it is desirable to have propor- 
tions which will give alloys which are malleable and duc- 
tile, or have good tensile strength. For binary zirconium- 
iron alloys, the proportion of zirconium should not fall 
much below, say, 40 per cent, or thereabout, since with 
lower percentages of this metal the advantageous prop- 
erties of the alloys are not sufficiently in evidence. Higher 
percentages of zirconium in such binary alloys are still 
more desirable for various reasons ; and the alloys of from 
approximately 60 to 90 per cent, zirconium content, with 
40 to 10 per cent, of iron are particularly advantageous. 

The excellence of these zirconium alloys may be consid- 
erably enhanced and many desirable properties attained 
by the inclusion of a small amount of titanium in the alloy, 
either by co-reduction of titanium with the other constitu- 
ents, or by separate addition of titanium to a preformed 
alloy. The allowable amount of titanium so present is not 
rigidly restricted, but very small quantities prove effica- 
cious in practice. As little as 0.10 per cent, serves the 
present purpose in some instances, and it is seldom neces- 
sary in alloys for most purposes that the titanium content 
shall exceed 2 or 3 per cent. These small amounts of 
titanium give enhanced strength and toughness to the zir- 
conium alloys, and also increase their electrical properties. 
The ductility and malleability are also more pronounced. 
Furthermore, in the manufacture of these alloys by co- 
reduction of the component metals, the presence of the 

95 



titanium compounds in the mixture reduced has a useful 
effect in preventing the undesirable retention of oxygen 
and oxygen compounds in the alloy or resultant melt. The 
presence of titanium also operates to exclude nitrogen, 
carbon and other metalloids from the alloy produced. 
Oxygen and other metalloids have an undesirable effect on 
malleability, ductility and texture. Ternary alloys con- 
taining a certain amount of titanium with preponderating 
proportions of zirconium and iron have certain decided ad- 
vantages over the simple binary alloys for many purposes. 
Finally, the addition of small amounts of other metals, 
such as aluminium, tantalum, columbium (niobium), etc., 
give quaternary and still more complex zirconium-iron al- 
loys which for some purposes offer particular advantages, 
and in them the relative proportions of zirconium and 
iron may often, with advantage, vary more widely than in 
the simple binary zirconium iron alloys. It is to be un- 
derstood, however, that in all these alloys under the pres- 
ent invention the combined zirconium iron content pre- 
ponderates over the other metals. Typical analyses of 
quaternary alloys of the present invention comprising zir- 
conium, iron, titanium, and aluminium are as follows : 
zirconium, 65.78 per cent., 8.43 per cent., 32.97 per cent. ; 
iron, 26.39 per cent., 90.97 per cent., 49.21 per cent, ; tita- 
nium, 0.12 per cent,, 0.13 per cent., 0.42 per cent. ; alu- 
minium, 7.71 per cent., 0.47 per cent., 17.40 per cent. 

The described alloys are substantially iron-zirconium 
alloys, other metals forming a minor fraction. And, for 
practical purposes, these alloys may be looked upon as zir- 
conium alloyed with iron or its equivalent, an iron-rich 
ferrous alloy. 

The process of making the described alloys under the 
present invention is one of co-reduction of compounds con- 
taining zirconium and iron in such a manner that the 
two metals are presented to each other in a nascent re- 
active condition. It is best that this reduction occur in 
the presence of a titaniferous compound, since as before 
stated, the inclusion of a small percentage of titanium in 

96 



the alloy produced is especially valuable aud the presence 
of titanium during the reduction is desirable for the other- 
reasons stated. A convenient method, especially where it 
is desired to have aluminium present in the alloy, as is 
often the case, is to reduce mixed oxides of iron and zir- 
conium by means of finely divided aluminium, the reac- 
tion being started with any firing means or materials such 
as magnesium, barium oxides, etc. In making an alloy of 
iron and zirconium containing about 44.7 per cent, zir- 
conium the following equation may serve to represent the 
reaction of reduction by aluminium : 

3Zr0 2 + 3Fe 2 3 + 5Al 2 = 3ZrFe 2 + 5A1,0 3 . 

The process of reduction may also be carried out by 
suitably heating the mixed oxides in a graphite crucible 
as by means of the oxyacetylene flame, or electrically. Or, 
a mixture of titaniferous oxide of iron, and the mineral 
zircon, or other zirconium-containing materials, such as 
zirconia together with suitable amounts of titaniferous 
minerals such as rutile, ilmenite, sphene, titantic oxide, 
etc., may be heated as before described. Fluxes and slag 
forming bodies such as silica, soda, etc., may be employed. 
The mineral ilmenite is a source of titanium convenient 
to employ in the present process. 

The alloys thus produced may be mechanically worked 
in any suitable way. In making filaments, the alloys, in 
the form of rods, produced by casting or by otherwise suit- 
ably shaping the alloys produced as above described may 
be heated to the necessary temperature, rolled, drawn, 
swaged or extruded through dies to size, the alloy rod 
being conveniently heated by passage of a current there- 
through during drawing. With many of the present al- 
loys no special precautious need be taken to avoid oxida- 
tion during working, but where necessary or desirable, 
working may be carried on in vacuo or in an inert at- 
mosphere. 

In addition to their utility for incandescent lamp fila- 
ments and for glowers, alloys under the present invention 

97 



inaj' be usefully employed in forming arcs. As stated, the 
present materials give out more light than is equivalent to 
their temperature. Being resistant to acids and corrosion, 
the alloys may be used for various shaped articles for orna- 
mental and other purposes, such as spark points, etc. An- 
other field of utility for these alloys is in the manufacture 
of transformer elements. 

Halogen compounds, such as fluorides, chlorides, etc., 
of the various metals may be used in making the alloys by 
co-reduction; but their use offers no advantage over the 
oxidized compounds of the metals as described. 

What I claim is : 

1. As a new article, an alloy comprising not less than 
about 40 per cent, and not more than about 90 per cent, 
zirconium together with an iron group metal. 

2. As a new article, an alloy comprising not less than 
about 40 per cent, and not more than about 90 per cent, 
zirconium together with iron. 

See U. S. Patent 1,257,272 on page 216. 
See U. S. Patent 1,274,250 on page 219. 



98 



BRITISH PATENTS 

Class 1-B , 

1$ of 1863 

This corresponds to U. S. Patent 38,301 on page 72. 

3,91,1 of 1868, Bousfield 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 81,576 on page 73. 

1,923 of 1872, Woods & Clark 

The improvements consists in combining either iron or 
steel with various alloys of the hard and difficult oxidiz- 
able metals, such as certain alloys of chromium and tung- 
sten, by the action of which alloys on the iron or steel 
either or both are rendered less subject to rust or oxida- 
tion, and the toughness of the iron or the temper of the 
steel are very materially improved. 

In carrying out our said invention in practice we mix in 
a crucible or in a blast furnace or in any other suitable 
furnace, a certain quantity of iron or of steel of any de- 
gree of hardness or description, and of any make (pref- 
erably Bessemer steel ) with an alloy of chromium and 
tungsten either in the metallic state or in the form of 
mixed oxides, and fusing the whole in the presence of car- 
bonaceous matter, by which the iron or steel becomes al- 
loyed with the chromium and tungsten. The alloy of chro- 
mium and tungsten which we prefer to use for general 
purposes consists of 10 per cent, tungsten and 90 per cent, 
of chromium, or an equivalent proportion of their oxides ; 
of this alloy we use from 1 to 5 per cent, in combination 

99 



with the iron or steel according to the nature of the metal 
to be produced. The alloy we prefer to use for anti-acid 
metal consists of 5 per cent, of tungsten and 95 per cent, 
of chromium combined in the proportion of 33 per cent, of 
alloy to 67 per cent, of steel. This metal is also very hard, 
is of a silver color, takes a high polish, which it retains in 
a clamp or oxidizing atmosphere, and is accordingly ex- 
tremely useful for various purposes, amongst which we 
particularize the following : speculum metal and similar 
purposes where high reflective qualities are required, vari- 
ous parts of instruments where German silver is now used, 
for coinage metal, and for cutlery which has to be used in 
contact with acids. 

1,11$ of AS'77, Webster 

(Part of this patent corresponds to U. S. Patent 274,- 
538.) 

Alloys may be produced with or without the admixture 
of other metals or alloys, to resist oxidation and the fumes 
of acids. To make a hard bismuth bronze or alloy, 1 part 
by weight of bismuth, 3 of lead, 6 of zinc, 15 of nickel, 25 
of copper, and 50 of antimony are melted and thoroughly 
amalgamated in a pot or crucible. The resulting hard al- 
loys may be made into reflectors and other articles requir- 
ing a high polish or hardness, and also into bearings, 
valves, etc. A softer bronze is made from 1 part, of bis- 
muth, 5 of lead, 12 of zinc, 30 of nickel and 52 of copper. 
These alloys resist oxidation and keep their color better 
than similar alloys hitherto made. The proportions of the 
ingredients may be varied. Thus, for the said soft bronze 
an additional % to 1 part of bismuth may be used, taking 
the same quantity from the zinc, when certain large cast- 
ings are to be exposed to sea water or acid fumes. 

3,420 of 1877, Jensen 

An alloy consists of metals mixed in or about the fol- 
lowing proportions: 45 per cent, of silver,, 30 of copper, 

100 



9 Of tin, 9 of zinc, and 7 of lead. This silver alloy is as 
hard as forged steel, and is still malleable and will take a 
good polish. 

For a very ductile metal, there may be used an alloy of 
platinum with iridium consisting of 80 to 90 per cent, of 
platinum with 20 to 10 per cent, of iridium. According 
to the degree of hardness more or less iridium is used. This 
alloy can be hammered and that which is more soft can 
be cast. It does not rust, and takes a fine polish. Its lin- 
eal expansion is the slightest, and its modulus of elasticity 
is the least variable among metals. 

5$l8 of 1880, Hoper 

Alloys may be produced of different classes, some 
possessing great hardness, density and resistance to oxida- 
tion and friction, and others having the same properties 
save that they are softer. They are obtained by combining 
3.5 to 8 per cent, of phosphorus and from 0.5 to 15 per 
cent, of tin with sufficient copper to make up 100 parts in 
each case. To obtain great hardness, without seeking 
much elasticity, from 5 to 8 per cent, of phosphorus and 9 
to 15 per cent, of tin are recommended. These alloys are 
workable and, when containing the similar specified 
amount of phosphorus and tin each are softer than gun 
metal. To produce soft alloys possessing great tensile 
strength and toughness 3.5 per cent, of phosphorus and 
from 0.5 to 5 per cent, of tin are valuable proportions. 

As regards alloys chiefly to resist friction; from 4 to 5 
of phosphorus and from 7 to 9 per cent, of tin are suitable 
in the case of friction with simple means or upon very hard 
surfaces ; from 3.5 to 4 of phosphorus and 5 to 7 of tin may 
be suited for friction with irregular motion, more elas- 
ticity being here required and sometimes lead may be added 
in the proportion of from 2 to 5 per cent, of the total 
weight ; from 3.5 to 4 of phosphorus; 9 to 13 of lead; 2 to 3 
of tin and 3 to 5 of zinc (much copper to make up 100 
parts as in each case), may be used to resist friction. In 
the last case the zinc is added to improve the fusion of 

101 



the high strength of lead with the other substances. The 
proportions of phosphorus specified should be present in 
the finished alloys. Numerous articles to be made of dif- 
ferent alloys are mentioned, including pumps for acidulat- 
ed or alkaline water. 



3,308 of 1881, Vivian 

The addition of antimony in due proportion instead of 
being injurious is found by the inventor to increase the 
strength, durability and hardness and tenacity of alloys of 
tin and copper with bronze. The addition of from 1/3 to 
1/5 per cent, of antimony strengthens bronze consisting 
of from 93 to 96 per cent, of copper and 7 to 4 of tin, about 
0.03 per cent, more antimony being added over each re- 
duction of a unit of tin. Such bronze may be cast, rolled 
and drawn into sheets, wire, etc. It is malleable and duc- 
tile and resists torsion, also action of sea- water and acid 
solutions. It is preferred to use best selected copper and 
fine tin and add the antimony in the form of an alloy of 
copper and antimony. Such an alloy containing from 70 
of copper to 30 of antimony may be made by melting the 
copper in a plumbago pot under a little charcoal and grad- 
ually adding the antimony. After stirring, the contents 
should solidify in the pot to avoid loss of antimony 
through pouring. The final alloy may be made by melting 
the copper until it reaches the boiling point indicated by 
the tremulous motion of a metal rod when inserted in the 
molted copper, then adding the tin and the antimony alloy 
with stirring and bringing the metal again to the boiling 
point. It is then taken from the furnace and stirred be- 
fore pouring into the moulds which are dressed over with 
resin oil and charcoal dust or sometimes with tar. To cast 
ingots for rolling, the moulds should be a little concave 
to allow for shrinking of the metal in cooling and prevent 
the center of the ingot from being hollow. The alloy may 
be formed by adding tin and antimony directly to copper 
or copper containing antimony may be used for introduc- 

102 



ing the antimony. The best mixture found for tensile 
strength is: Copper, 93.81; tin, 5.95, and antimony, 0.24. 

5,^54 of 1882, Keep 

A non-corrosive alloy of increased whiteness and uni- 
formity in color (dispensing with the need of coating, and 
more easily worked than German silver, etc. ) , may be com- 
posed approximately of from 66 to 70 per cent, of copper, 
from 9.8 to 20.0 of nickel, from 0.1 to 0.5 of tin, from 0.1 
to 5.0 of cadmium, and from 8.5 to 20.0 of zinc. To ren- 
der the nickel more fusible and avoid loss by volatiliza- 
tion of the other constituents, copper is first melted and an 
equal quantity of nickel at a red heat is added to it. When 
completely melted the alloy is poured into ingots, and the 
percentage of each metal present may be determined by 
analysis. Then the alloy is again fused and more copper 
is added to obtain the relative proportions of copper and 
nickel required after which the tin, cadmium, and zinc 
are added in one. 

Again, the alloy may comprise from 60 to 65 per cent, 
of copper; from 20 to 25 of manganese; 0.5 of tin; from 
0.5 to 5.0 of cadmium, and from 9.5 to 14.0 of zinc. In 
this case ferro-manganese (containing as little iron as 
possible) replaces nickel in the first melting operation and 
the resulting melted alloy on removal from the fire is 
thoroughly skimmed on the surface to remove the iron as 
much as possible. After cooling, this alloy can be re- 
melted, and the skimming repeated to remove any iron 
still present. The required alloy is afterwards made as 
above described. In the melting operations charcoal, 
borax or other material is used as a covering to prevent 
oxidation, and stirring is employed. A flux is used for 
introducing the cadmium. 



i s 



3,233 of 1884, Radford 

Chromium is alloyed with tin, zinc, copper, or other 
metals. Chrome iron, or chromium, or chrome steel are 

103 



melted and granulated by throwing them into cold water, 
so that they can be remelted at a low temperature. The 
chromium, chrome iron, or chrome steel are then mixed 
with a portion of the metal with which it is desired to be 
alloyed, covered with charcoal and melted. This is added 
to the larger amount of the alloying metals and the whole 
is well stirred and then poured into ingot moulds. By 
varying the proportions and the constituent metals a great 
variety of alloys may be obtained, including an improved 
white metal, which consists of the following : 

Chrome iron 10 parts 

Tin 10 " 

Copper 10 " 

Cobalt 5 " 

Nickel 5 " 

Zinc 60 " 

Alloys to resist the action of chemical agents are ob- 
tained by combining nickel, cobalt or zinc, with any of 
the above alloys or compounds of chromium. 



23,950 of 1895 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 578,465 on page 76. 

202 of 1896 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 573,615 on page 74. 

6,730 of 1898, Roman 

Kelates to alloys used to prevent rust and corrosion. The 
composition of the alloys varies from 56.8 to 90 per cent, 
of copper; 3 to 40 per cent of nickel; 1 to 10 per cent, of 
tungsten ; 1 to 10 per cent, of aluminium. Alloys of a sil- 
ver color are thus obtained. 

104 



21,738 of 1001, Drake 
Alloys having the appearance of gold, for jewelry, wire, 
etc., have approximately the following composition : 954.5 
parts of copper; 43 parts of aluminium, and 2.5 parts of 
silver. A portion of the copper may be replaced by zinc, 
and the other proportions slightly varied. These alloys 
have great resistance to corrosive influences. If the pro- 
portion of silver is increased to 5 parts per thousand, the 
alloy can be drawn out to a wire .003 in thickness. 

6,969 of 1902, Just & Frith 

A white metal suitable for gas or electric fittings, coins, 
vessels such as torpedoes, or torpedo boats which 
are in contact with salt water, and for electric resistances, 
etc., is prepared as follows : 54 to 67.6 pounds of copper is 
melted in a crucible, 12 pounds of borax and burnt sienna 
being added ; 32!/2 pounds shotted 1 and 1 nickel are then 
added, and subsequently 1 pound of iron, then 1 pound of 
lead, and next 1.3 pounds of tin and 26 pounds of spelter. 
The temperature is now allowed to fall slightly, and 1/5 
of an ounce of a palladium compound, such as palladium 
sodiochloride, is added, followed by 3 pounds of aluminium 
silicate, and next by 3/5 of an ounce of aluminium 
vanadiate. The temperature is again raised and the metal 
poured. 

This alloy has about the color of silver and takes about 
the same polish. It is about as strong as mild steel. Un- 
like other white metals, silver included, it does not tar- 
nish or oxidize when exposed to atmospheric influences nor 
is it affected by an atmosphere containing sulphuretted 
hydrogen or sulphurous acid. It is not affected by salt, sea 
or alkaline waters, or by alcoholic liquids, fats or oils, nor 
by fluid or vegetable acids of any kind. It has a melting- 
point of about 980° C. It can be rolled into very thin 
sheets and drawn into thin tubes or very fine wire. 

See British Patent No. 4,698 of 1904, page 266. 
See British Patent No. IS of 1906, page 267. 
See No. 23,644 of 1902 on page 265. 

105 



9,750 of 1906, O'Brien 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 856,392 on page 10. 

15,384 of 1909, Mackintosh 

Alloys containing aluminium, magnesium, and nickel 
are made by melting the aluminium in a crucible and al- 
lowing it to cool, adding nickel oxide or hydrate and cov- 
ering the contents of the crucible with magnesium oxide 
and a reducing agent such as carbon, heating to 1600° C, 
adding metallic magnesium, stirring the mixture and then 
casting. In a modified process, the nickel oxide, etc., is 
heated under a layer of a reducing agent such as carbon, 
which is mixed with magnesium oxide, the aluminium is 
then added, the mixture then allowed to cool to about 
900° C, whereupon the magnesium is added, and after 
being stirred the alloy is cast. The crucibles employed in 
the process are previously coated with a mixture of car- 
bon and magnesium oxide. 

This alloy resists the action of most dilute acid and alka- 
line solutions. 

16,177 of 1910, Duke 

An alloy of a silver color is composed of the following, 
proportions being by volume: Copper, 24; iron, 6; nickel, 
4 ; aluminium, 1. The addition of 0.5 to 1 part of tin makes 
the alloy much whiter and more resistant. The nickel is 
first placed in the bottom of a crucible, and the iron and 
copper are then respectively superimposed. The crucible 
is exposed to a full white heat until the iron becomes pasty, 
and the ingredients are mixed, when the aluminium is 
placed on top of the molten metals and well stirred. 

This alloy resists oxidation to a remarkable degree after 
being dipped in strong nitric acid. 

27,82.9 of 1911, Schmid 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 1,040,027 on page 80. 

tin; 



1,18/f of 1912, Eatlanek 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 1,005,115 on page 79. 

lS,J f l./ f of WIS, Pasel 

Steel alloys containing 7 to 25 per cent, of chromium, 
0.5 to 20 per cent, of nickel and up to 1 per cent, of car- 
bon with or without small quantities of tungsten or vana- 
dium, are used in the manufacture of gun barrels, turbine 
blades, or other articles requiring the power of resistance 
to corrosion. British Patent No. 23,615 of 1902 is referred 
to. 

19,021 of 1913 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 1,077,977 on page 81. 

See British Patent 8,270 of 1914 on page 229. 



107 



GERMAN PATENTS 

Class 1-A 

82,819, Roman, Aug. 13, 1895 

The following alloy is absolutely resistant to acids and 
can be easily worked (rolled, forged, etc.)- The alloy con- 
sists of aluminium, tungsten, and copper, made according 
to the following process : 

A given quantity of tungstic acid is reduced with the 
use of cryolite as a flux and as soon as the bath flows thinly, 
enough aluminium is added to make 10 per cent, aluminium 
compound. A given quantity of aluminium is simultane- 
ously alloyed with a corresponding quantity of electrolytic 
copper and both alloys so obtained are melted together in 
such proportions with pure aluminium, that the alloy does 
not contain less than 94 to 95 per cent, of pure aluminium. 
The proportion of copper to tungsten corresponds to the 
mechanical qualities desired. 

123,750, Elcker and Kragcsics, Sept. 6, 1901 

The object of this invention is a process for manufac- 
turing an alloy having the color of nickel, which does not 
oxidize in the air, does not lose its polish at a temperature 
of 100° C, and is also completely resistant to acids. 

The following is put into a crucible: 700 parts (by 
weight) of nickel; 1500 parts of copper; 800 parts of zinc; 
8 parts of pulverized magnesium ; 15 parts of cadmium ; 2 
parts of zinc dross ; 2 parts of aluminium ; 2 parts of sal- 
ammoniac ; 2 parts of phosphor bronze. One-quarter part 
of the copper is put at the bottom of the crucible and then 
the quantities of phosphor bronze, magnesium, and nickel 

10S ' 



are superimposed in separate layers. The second fourth 
of the copper is introduced, then the cadmium, then the 
zinc, then the zinc dross, and finally the rest of the copper. 
The material is then melted and the sal-ammoniac is thrown 
in and well mixed therewith. 

133,910, Chassereau-Mourlon, Sept. 1, 1902 

An exceptionally resistant and difficultly oxidizable alloy 
which is a good conductor of electricity and can be easily 
soldered, consists of 900 parts of aluminium ; 50 parts of 
bismuth; 25 parts of iron, and 25 parts of nickel. The 
nickel gives the product great resistance against oxidizing 
influences, while the bismuth renders the melting of the 
alloy more easy. The various constituents can be melted 
together. 



123,820, Berg, Sept. 10, 1901 

This is an addition to German Patent 82,819, and accord- 
ing to this invention some zinc is added to the alloy of this 
former patent. A given quantity of tungstic acid is re- 
duced with the use of cryolite as a flux, and as soon as the 
bath flows thinly enough aluminium is added to make a 10 
per cent, aluminium alloy. A given quantity of aluminium 
and a corresponding quantity of electrolytic copper to 
which a given per cent, of zinc has already been added, are 
simultaneously alloyed, and these two alloys are melted to- 
gether in such proportion that the alloy does not contain 
less than 91 to 92 per cent, of pure aluminium. The amount 
of aluminium varies between 2 to 7 per cent., according 
to the different qualities desired. 

123,919, Ekker and Kragcsics, Sept. 10. 1901 

This alloy has a silver color, is malleable and ductile, 
does not oxidize in the air, does not lose its polish at a 
temperature of 100° C, and besides is completely resistant 
to acids. The following are placed in layers into a crucible, 
in the order mentioned : 600 parts of nickel ; 2,000 parts of 

109 



copper ; 400 parts of zinc ; 10 parts of powdered magnesium ; 
30 parts of cadmium ; 2 parts of zinc dross ; 1 part of alu- 
minium ; these constituents are then melted together, well 
mixed, and then intimately mixed with 1 part of sal- 
ammoniac. 

2J I 3,663, Borchers mid Barth, Feb. 17, 1912 

A cobalt-tin alloy having about 40 per cent, of cobalt and 
60 per cent, of tin has an extraordinary resistance to acids, 
even against nitric acid in all its concentrations, and even 
when the acid has impurities such as sodium chloride. 

As this alloy is brittle and is almost unsuitable for 
mechanical working, this discovery in itself is of slight 
practical value. If, however, this alloy is mingled with 
another metal that is more easily worked, as for example, 
copper, an increased chemical resistance is imparted to 
this metal. If, for example, alloys are made which con- 
tain between 80 to 90 per cent, of copper and from 20 to 
5 per cent, of the before mentioned cobalt-tin alloy, then 
alloys are obtained which can be very well worked, and at 
the same time have high resistance against chemical influ- 
ences. These alloys are so slightly attacked by dilute 
nitric acid that from 5 to 7 years would be required to 
dissolve a layer 1 mm. thick. In reality the speed of 
solution is even less. These alloys can be manufactured 
by the customary methods. It is preferable, however, to 
first make the first mentioned cobalt-tin alloy and then 
dissolve this in the copper. 

246,035, Borchers and Monnwrtz, April 22, 1912 

This invention relates to an iron alloy that unites high 
chemical resistance together with workability. It has al- 
ready been proposed to make objects which must resist 
the action of acids and mixtures of acids, out of a chro- 
mium-iron alloy. These alloys, however, do not have a 
sufficient resistance to acids even when they contain a large 
amount of chromium. If the acids and acid solutions con- 

110 



tain too large an amount of chlorides, as, for instance, 
more than 5 per cent, of the alkali chlorides and the prod 
ucts thereof with other acids, and especially if oxidizing 
acids (like nitric acid) are present even only in small 
quantities (as for example, 2 per cent, or even less of 
nitric acid), then these alloys become finally soluble. 

An alloy that can resist acids and mixtures of acids of 
all kinds and then can be mechanically worked, is secured 
if from 2 to 5 per cent, of molybdenum is added to an iron- 
chromium alloy having more than 10 per cent, of chromium, 
and either free from carbon or containing relatively small 
quantities of carbon. For example, an alloy which con- 
sists, besides some non-essential constituents, of 60 per 
cent, of chromium ; 35 per cent, of iron and 2 to 3 per cent, 
of molybdenum, can be readily worked, and is completely 
insoluble in dilute nitric acid (2 per cent, nitric acid and 
even weaker) even in the presence of many alkali chlorides, 
and even in boiling aquaregia. Vanadium and titanium 
have the same effect as molybdenum, but are not so favor- 
able in their action. 



255,919, Borchers and Boreliers, January 23, 1913 

This invention relates to nickel alloys which have a high 
chemical resistance together with good mechanical work- 
ability. 

From the known properties of nickel and of chromium 
and of nickel chromium alloys, high chemical resistance 
of such alloys is to be expected especially against acids 
which can produce the known condition of passivity in a 
number of metals, as for example, nitric acid. Nickel al- 
loys containing 25 per cent, of chromium and upwards 
show a very high chemical resistance, but suffer from the 
defects that they cannot be easily forged, rolled, or other- 
wise mechanically worked. In order to obviate this evil 
without lessening the chemical resistance of the alloy, sil- 
ver has been found suitable, contrary to all expectations. 
Only a slight addition of silver can be made because of the 
limited solubility of the silver in nickel and chromium, but 

111 



this slight amount of silver increases the workability of 
the nickel chromium alloys to a striking degree. The 
chemical resistance does not suffer because of the silver, 
but is even increased, which was not to be expected be- 
cause silver has a high solution tension in nitric acid and 
is not one of the metals that can be rendered passive. An 
alloy that is especially resistant to nitric acid is made up 
of the following : 30 per cent, of chromium ; 1.5 to 2.5 per 
cent, of silver, the rest being nickel. 

256428, Borchers, Jan. 30, 1913 

This relates to a nickel alloy which has a high chemical 
resistance as well as good workability. It is to be expected 
from the known properties of nickel and cobalt, and nickel 
cobalt alloys, that these alloys would have a high chemi- 
cal resistance against nitric acid of such a concentration 
that it could produce the phenomenon of passivity in 
these metals. Still, the condition of passivity in nickel and 
cobalt, and nickel cobalt alloys in dilute nitric acid is less 
easily maintained than with corresponding iron and chro- 
mium alloys. It is true that nickel alloys having more 
than 50 per cent, of cobalt, especially one having 60 per 
cent, of cobalt, has a maximum resistance against dilute 
nitric acid, even if it contains a chloride. Such alloys, how- 
ever, cannot be easily forged, rolled or otherwise mechan- 
ically worked. A slight addition of silver increases the 
workability. Silver can only be added in slight amounts, 
but increases the workability of the nickel-cobalt alloys to 
a striking degree. Still more striking is the phenomenon 
that a small addition of silver increases the chemical re- 
sistance of the alloy, especially when it is considered that 
silver has a high solution tension in nitric acid and does 
not belong to the metals that can be rendered passive. 
Mckel alloys having more than 50 per cent, of cobalt, pref- 
erably having about 60 per cent, of cobalt, upon the addi- 
tion of less than 1 per cent, of silver, preferably about 0.4 
per cent, of silver are readily worked and are so resistant 
that they are scarcely attacked by strongly diluted nitric 

111} 



acid even iu the presence of chlorides, such as sodium 
chloride. 

256,361, Borchers and Borchers, Feb. 6, 1913 

This is an addition to German Patent 255,919. It has 
been found in the nickel alloys mentioned in this patent 
the nickel can be partially replaced by a like weight of 
cobalt, and the silver can be entirely or partially replaced 
by a larger weight of copper, at the highest by a double 
weight. These alloys so obtained still possess good mechan- 
ical workability and the chemical resistance of the alloys 
mentioned in No. 255,919. 

257,380, Borchers, Feb. 27, 1913 

This is an addition to German Patent 256,123. It was 
seen in this patent that nickel cobalt alloys become more 
resistant to nitric acid by the addition of the easily soluble 
silver. It was hardly to be expected that copper which has 
even a higher solution tension than silver in nitric acid 
would make the alloy mentioned in No. 256,123 even more 
resistant than silver. It has now been found that the ad- 
dition of copper up to 15 per cent, produces even more 
resistant alloys than those mentioned in No. 256,123, es- 
pecially in those nickel alloys which as mentioned in No. 
256,123 contain more than 50 per cent, of cobalt, preferably 
60 per cent, of cobalt, and received an addition of copper 
up to 15 per cent,, either with little silver or Avithout any 
silver at all. It is preferable that the copper should be 
about 2 to 5 per cent, of the weight of the nickel-cobalt 
alloy. 

265,076, Borchers and ■ Borchers , Sept. 30, 1913 

This is an addition to German Patent 256,361. It has 
been discovered that in spite of a considerable lessening of 
the amount of silver and copper of the alloys mentioned in 
No. 256,361, the resistance of these alloys is not injured, 
but is even increased by substituting a small quantity of 

113 



molybdenum, for the silver and copper. Neither is the 
workability diminished. 

According to this new invention the addition of silver 
and copper can be lessened to about 3 per cent, of the alloy 
and the acid resistance is substantially increased if the 
silver or copper which has been removed is replaced by 
molybdenum to the amount of from 0.5 to 5 per cent, of 
the allov. 



265,328, Borchers and Borchers, Oct. 7, 1913 

This is an addition to German Patent No. 255,919. The 
chemical resistance of the alloys mentioned in the former 
patent is increased by substantially lessening the amount 
of silver and replacing the silver so omitted by a small 
quantity of molybdenum. The chemical workability of the 
original alloy is not lessened. According to this invention 
the amount of silver added can be lessened to less than 
0.3 per cent, of the alloy and the resistance to acids is sub- 
stantially increased, if the omitted silver is partially or 
completely replaced by molybdenum to the amount of from 
0.5 to 5 per cent, of the alloy. 



268,516, Borchers and Borchers, Dec 18, 1913 

This relates to an improvement on German Patent 265,- 
328. It has been discovered that the alloys mentioned in 
this patent are not injured to any noticeable extent if a 
part of the nickel is replaced by iron which is cheaper. Ac- 
cording to this invention practical alloys can be secured if 
iron replaces the nickel in these alloys, up to 90 per cent, 
of nickel. 

This invention offers the further advantage that abso- 
lutely pure nickel is not necessary for the manufacture of 
these alloys. On the contrary, nickel containing a large 
quantity of iron can be used. 

114 



277,2J t 2, Siemens-Halske, Aug. 5, 191J/ 

The manufacture of tantalum is very difficult as there 
always is a danger that the alloys will be brittle. 

Tantalum alloys have up to the present been of no prac- 
tical significance. It has, however, been discovered that it 
is possible, by adding tantalum to nickel, especially 
relatively small amounts of tantalum, to so affect the nickel 
that a very valuable and very special product is produced. 
An alloy of nickel with from 5 to 10 per cent, of tantalum 
shows very striking properties, especially with reference 
to resistance to acids, and ductility. An acid with 30 per 
cent, of tantalum may be boiled as long as is desired in 
aquaregia and other acids without any change being suf- 
fered. This alloy is very ductile, can be easily rolled, ham- 
mered and has a strength which is equal to that of the best 
steel, or even exceeds it. For example, a wire of y 2 mm. 
diameter has a tensile strength of more than 200 kg. per 
sq. mm. 

Aside from this the nickel has completely lost its mag- 
netic properties. Its elasticity is like that of the best 
steel. It can be heated to very high temperatures in the 
atmosphere without oxidizing. To be sure the alloy may 
become brittle if very strongly heated. 

To manufacture these alloys it is preferable not to di- 
rectly melt the material in the electric arc. It is much 
better if the material is laid into a crucible or into a quartz 
tube, and then heated from without to a high white heat. 
The material is preferably well mixed together in pow- 
dered form for this purpose, pressed together to a coherent 
body under high pressure and then introduced into the 
crucible, tube or the like. 

The heating can take place by means of an electric arc 
formed, for example, between tantalum electrodes or by 
means of an electric arc formed between a tantalum elec- 
trode and a nickel electrode, which serves as a foundation. 

The heating can take place by electrical resistance as 
for example by surrounding the tube or the crucible with 
granulated tungsten or tantalum and leading an electric 

115 



current through this. The heating preferably takes place 
in an inert atmosphere and even better in a vacuum. 

The tantalum nickel alloy can be used for tools, medi- 
cal instruments, vessels for chemical purposes, writing 
pens, springs or the like. 

277,855, Orohmann & Co., Sept. 3, 1911, 

The object of this invention is an alloy containing iron 
and silicon to be used for the manufacture of vessels re- 
sistant to acids at high temperatures, especially those for 
chemical industries, as well as for armatures, pipes and 
the like. It is known that iron is rendered resistant to 
all acids, with the exception of hydrochloric acid and fluoric 
acid, by the addition of silicon. The amount of silicon that 
can be added is limited by the brittleness and the difficulty 
in working such alloys. It has been proposed to make such 
alloys more easily worked by adding metals such as man- 
ganese, nickel, lead, and the like, but the problem was not 
satisfactorily solved because the resistance to acids was 
affected. 

It has now been discovered that an addition of chromium 
to the silicon-iron alloy gives it exceptional workability 
without lessening the resistance to acids. On the con- 
trary the addition of chromium favorably affects the re- 
sistance to acids. Alloys that contain up to 18 per cent, 
of silicon and at the most, up to 70 per cent, of chromium 
can be used. They are completely acid resistant, for ex- 
ample, against sulphuric acid. It is not to be foreseen 
that an alloy which would contain high percentages of 
chromium and silicon would be workable. This discovery 
has the important technical result that objects can be 
made that are distinguished by a special resistance to acids 
of high temperatures. 

278^02, Borchers and Borchers, Oct. 2, 1911, 

This is an addition to German Patent 265,076. It has 
been found that the molybdenum can be partially or com- 
pletelv replaced by one or more of the following metals: 

116 



Gold, the metals of the platinum group (platinum, iridium, 
osmium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium), and tungsten, 
without harming the chemical properties of the alloys. This 
is of practical importance because it is already difficult to 
purchase molybdenum. 

278J903, Borchers and Borchers, Oct. 21, 1914 

This is an addition to No. 265,328. It has been found 
that the molybdenum can be partially or completely re- 
placed by one or more of the following metals : Gold, the 
metals of the platinum group (platinum, palladium, 
iridium, rhodium, ruthenium), and tungsten, without in- 
juring the chemical properties of the alloys. This is of 
practical importance because it is already difficult to pur- 
chase molybdenum. 



117 



GERMAN PATENTS 

Class 1-B 

33,102, Mouchel, Sept. 16, 18S6 

For many purposes it is desirable, without essentially 
changing the special qualities of copper and its alloys to 
give them either a greater ductility, greater hardness, and 
a greater resistance to acids. For this purpose the copper 
or its alloys has added thereto either pure chromium or its 
compounds. It makes no difference in what manner the 
chromium is introduced into the copper and its alloys, and 
the ductility or hardness of the chromium-copper alloy de- 
pends upon the proportions of the chromium which is 
added. 

If the copper chromium alloy is made of pure materials 
it can be made most simply in a crucible or a suitable fur- 
nace. Chromium and copper or the alloys of these metals 
are brought together in the quantities chosen for the pur- 
pose desired, and they are melted with constant stirring, 
until the mixture has been made uniform. Instead of sim- 
ply melting together pure metals, their oxides or similar 
compounds can be brought together in a furnace and be 
reduced in the presence of carbon or other reducing means. 

The melting together of the pure metals in a crucible is 
preferable as it enables better control of the operation. 

If it is desired to have a chromium copper metal that 
should be a good conductor o*f electricity the addition of 
chromium must be made as small as possible. Even a slight 
addition gives, a much greater ductility than that of pure 
copper or its alloys, and besides the chromium copper metal 
can be worked much more easily than pure copper. 

118 



If it is desired to have a hard alloy which is little worn 
out by friction the amount of chromium added must be in- 
creased and a chromium copper alloy is then secured, which 
is not appreciably attacked by fuming nitric acid, and is 
so hard that it can scratch glass. 

All degrees of hardness between these two limits can be 
secured by correspondingly choosing the amount of chro- 
mium added. 

66,937, Solvisky, Jan. 20, 1893 

An aluminium alloy which has great resistance to oxida- 
tion is made by adding nickel (or cobalt) as well as cad- 
mium. The first increases its hardness and the second its 
ductility. 

Since the nickel or cobalt can only be alloyed with alu- 
minium imperfectly and with difficulty, they are added in 
the form of a tin alloy, which has a melting point as near 
as possible to that of aluminium. Thus 50 parts of nickel 
and 50 parts of tin have a melting point of about 800° C. 
Some of the alloys are as follows: Aluminium, 90 per 
cent. ;. nickel, 1 per cent. ; tin, 5 per cent. ; cadmium, 4 
per cent. This has about half the hardness of iron. An- 
other alloy is as follows : Aluminium, 95 per cent, ; nickel, 
1 per cent. ; tin, 1 per cent. ; cadmium, 3 per cent, The alu- 
minium and the nickel alloy are first melted together, and 
then the cadmium is added either in the pure condition or 
in the form of a cadmium alloy. 

54,846, Held, 1890 

This discloses a process for producing an alloy which 
does not oxidize or lose its gold color even if subjected for 
a long time to the action of air containing ammonia and 
acid fumes, which can be rolled and worked like gold and 
has the appearance of genuine gold. 

This alloy consists of 100 parts of copper and 6 parts 
of antimony. The copper is melted and as soon as it has 
reached the required temperatm-e the antimony is added. 

119 



When the antimony is also melted and intimately com- 
bined with the copper, some magnesium and lime-spar are 
added thereto. 

This addition gives the cast metal a high density. It 
can be rolled, forged, hammered, soldered, and polished. 

146,985, Yogt and Cie, November 23, 1903 

Experiments made with aluminium bronze have shown 
that by adding lead and manganese to aluminium bronze 
an alloy of special hardness, strength and resistance to 
acids can be obtained, that can replace the ordinary rack 
metal. The racks made out of this alloy are superior 
to those made of steel in that they are much more acid- 
resistant while their hardness and elasticity are similar. 

This alloy is made up as follows : Copper, 86 to 89 per 
cent. ; aluminium, 12.5 to 7.5 per cent. ; lead, 1 to 2 per 
cent. ; manganese, 0.5 to 1.5 per cent. This alloy is made 
as follows: The copper is melted and refined. Then the 
necessary amount of phosphorus, 0.5 per cent., is added in 
the form of phosphor-copper, and then the lead and the alu- 
minium are added. Then the manganese is added to the 
liquid mass before it is poured out. 

190,23J h Schumacher, Oct. Sjlftj. 

An alloy to resist the detrimental influence of acids is 
made of 49% per cent of nickel, 49% per cent, of alu- 
minium, and 1 per cent, of phosphorus. 



120 



PREFACE TO CLASS 2 

Under this heading will be found all the alloys having 
the same coefficient of expansion as glass and particular 
attention is called to U. S. Patent 626,609, in which the 
theory of a nickel-iron alloy serviceable in leading in wires 
for incandescent lamps, has been completely worked out. 

Besides patents on alloys we have included herein the 
important patents relating to coating wires with platinum, 
etc., for this purpose, and other inventions relating to lead- 
ing-in wires not based on alloys. 

The fundamental idea of most of these patents is shown 
in the expired U. S. Patent 626,609, which discloses the 
nickel-iron alloys which are most frequently used. Brit- 
ish Patents 21,881 of 1899, and 24,918 of 1904, disclose 
additional improvements in connection with these alloys. 
In particular British Patent 24,918 of 1904, discloses coat- 
ing of the nickel -iron alloy with an alloy of silver and plati- 
num. Some of the basic ideas connected with this class 
are therefore open to public use. 



121 



U. S. PATENTS 

Class 2 

626,609, GuMlaume and Duma's, June 6, 1899 

Alloys of nickel and iron expand or contract under the 
influence of heat, in accordance with laws which are 
peculiar to such alloys, and which generally are very dif- 
ferent from the laws governing the expansion and con- 
traction of iron or nickel separately. 

Numerous experiments have shown that by varying the 
proportions of nickel and iron in the alloy, products are 
obtained whose coefficients of expansion vary within con- 
siderable limits. When the proportion of nickel is less 
than about 20 per cent., the coefficient of expansion lies 
between that of iron and that of nickel ; but this coefficient 
of expansion increases when the proportion of nickel is 
raised, until with 22 to 24 per cent, of nickel, it closely 
approximates that of brass, when it attains its maximum. 
The coefficient of expansion then progressively diminishes, 
with further increase of nickel until it is practically nil 
when the content of nickel reaches about 37 per cent. Be- 
yond this proportion the coefficient of expansion again in- 
creases and becomes approximately equal to that of plati- 
num when the proportion of nickel reaches 45 per cent. 
The coefficient of expansion of ferro-nickel alloys thus 
varies between a maximum and a minimum, the minimum 
being zero or approximately zero, and this minimum ex- 
pansion being attained by alloying about 37 per cent, of 
nickel with the iron. The alloys produced in accordance 
with this invention may contain, besides iron and nickel, 
varying quantities of the metals and metalloids which ordi- 

122 



narily enter into the composition of steel. By making cer- 
tain elements of apparatus of non-expandible alloy, sys- 
tematic tension or deformation may be produced which is 
much greater than has hitherto been possible. As exam- 
ples, there may be mentioned bimetallic thermometers, the 
expansion plates of the thermal variation thermometers, 
tire alarms, and compensators. 

The non-expandible alloy may be mixed in suitable pro- 
portion with other metals or alloys for the production of 
alloys having the same expansion as the other substances 
with which they are combined or connected, such as glass, 
crystal, etc., and this will be of particular advantages for 
the manufacture of incandescent lamps, Crookes' tubes and 
the like, spectacle frames, mirrors and optical instruments 



in general. 



See U. S. Patent S24,618 on page 158. 



1,0^3^511 ' , Eldred (Assigned to Commercial Research Co.), 

Nov. 5, 1912 

To form a compound body having a foundation of iron, 
steel, or other metal of high melting point, and a facing 
of platinum, the foundation metal is heated to a tempera- 
ture approximating the melting temperature of platinum 
and is then cast to solidify against the platinum surface. 
An apparatus is described for preventing the presence of 
a film of air, etc., between the two metals. This is ac- 
complished by placing the platinum in a mould full of 
molten flux, and pouring the molten foundation metal 
into the mould. The flux displaced flows out through gut- 
ters. An iron wire coated with platinum and produced 
by this process, is suitable for use as a leading-in wire. 
. If it is desired to impart superficial porosity to the plati- 
num it may be superficially corroded by reacting gases, or 
it may be wetted with a solution of a platinum salt and 
then heated. 

123 



I claim : 

1. The process of producing compound bodies of unlike 
metals welded together comprising a metal of a melting 
point above 2900° F., and a ferrous metal having a melting 
point below 2900° F., which consists in contacting with a 
body of such metal of extremely high melting point a 
molten body of the other said metal heated to a tempera- 
ture approximating the melting point of such high melting 
point metal, and permitting the molten metal to solidify 
against the surface of such high melting point metal. 

See U. S. Patent 1,043,576 on page 303. 



1,043,578, Eldred (Assigned to Commercial Research Co.), 

Nov. 5, 1912 

To make a compound body having a platinum surface, a 
platinum tube highly heated is placed within a highly 
heated mould, and a suitable quantity of molten gold, sil- 
ver or copper is poured therein. A ferrous billet having 
a welded-on coating of copper or like metal, applied, for 
instance, according to U. S. Patent 853,716, is now intro- 
duced under non-oxidizing conditions, and the linking 
metal is allowed to solidify. 

Platinum coated iron wire produced by drawing down 
a platinum iron billet produced as above described, is par- 
ticularly suited for use as a lea ding-in , wire. 

For this purpose, the core may be made of nickel steel. 
The superficial porosity of the platinum may be increased 
for catalytic purposes, by suitable gas, or wetting it with 
a solution of a platinum salt and then heating. ' .. 

I claim : 

1. The process of producing compound metal bodies, 
comprising a metal of the platinum group and an unlike 
metai of lower melting point inseparably united which 
consists in bringing into proximity a heated body of a plati- 

124 



nuni metal and a heated body of an unlike high-melting 
metal to be united thereto, and bringing into the space 
between them a molten body of high-melting metal capable 
cf uniting with both such metals and permitting the 
molten metal to solidify. 



1,U78M6, Eldred, Nov. 18, 1913 

This is directed to making compound metal bodies having 
a core of iron, steel, or iron-like metal firmly united to a 
sheath of copper or copper-like metal by an intermediate 
linking layer of metal. 

This is useful in copper-clad material for electric con- 
ductors, gold clad and platinum-clad metal for toothpins, 
leading-in wires, etc. 

The core is filmed with copper or brass in any way, as by 
galvanic means. The coated body is washed and dried to 
free it from acid, oxidation being avoided. It is next coat- 
ed with a thin coating of a fusible mineral as borax or 
zinc chloride. This coating may be applied in solution 
and the solution dried in place. 

The flux-coated billet is introduced into a sheath of the 
coating metal, as copper, platinum, or gold. This sheath 
should be nearly red hot, and snugly fit over the core when 
in this condition. 

The assembled core and sheath are now heated, the core 
expanding and pressing against the shell. The heating 
may be carried to the softening point of the coating metal. 

The compound billet may be worked in the hot or cold 
condition. 

I claim : 

1. The process of producing clad metals which com- 
prises coating a relatively stiff metal core with a softer 
metal, placing said core in a relatively cool condition within 
a heated and expanded shell of a high-melting, ductile non- 
ferrous metal, and heating to cause said core to expand 
against said shell and produce a union. 

125 



1,083,010, Eldred, Deo. SO, 1913 

This relates to a composite leading-in wire having a plati- 
num coating. This wire has a coefficient of expansion less 
than that of platinum. The core is made of nickel-steel 
or other low expansion high-melting alloy or metal. A 
nickel-steel having a rate of expansion of about 0.0000025 
up to 100° C, is preferred. A nickel-steel having about 38 
per cent, of nickel is satisfactory. To regulate the expan- 
sion of the core, it is coated with copper, silver or gold or 
their alloys, and with an outside sheath of platinum. 

The nickel-steel core has an alloy of copper welded on 
according to the method disclosed in U. S. Patent 853,716 
or 1,217,581. This is then turned in a lathe, inserted in a 
closely fitting platinum tube and heated until the layers 
are united. The billet may then be drawn into wire and 
annealed. 

I claim : 

1. An article of manufacture comprising a wall of glass 
having sealed therethrough a wire of high-melting metallic 
material, said wire being of a rate of expansion materially 
less than glass and being held in the glass under com- 
pressive strains in the union therebetween. 

1,093,557, Oleason (Assigned to Neu-Metals and Process 
Company) , April 14, 1914 

It is the ultimate object of my invention to provide boiler 
and condenser tubes of homogeneous metal capable of re- 
sisting corrosion, but my improved alloy is not only 
capable of resisting the corrosive action of water and steam, 
but is also capable of resisting the action of sulphuric and 
nitric acids and other corrosive liquids, and consequently 
may be employed for other structures than such tubes. 
Said alloy is about the color of platinum and has a coeffi- 
cient of expansion, by heat, approximately that of glass. 
I find that the useful properties aforesaid are characteristic 

126 



of alloys within the following range of proportions by 
weight. 



'n 1 



Iron 80 to 120 parts 

Nickel 80 to 120 parts 

Copper 1 part 

Aluminium 4 parts 

I find it preferable to employ Swedish iron in making 
such alloys and a typical example, having the useful prop- 
erties above stated, is as follows : 

Swedish iron 110 parts 

Nickel . . . 90 parts 

Copper 1 part 

Aluminium 4 parts 

It is: to be noted that ordinary alloys including iron- 
nickel-copper are objectionable in that casting and cooling 
the same usually results in separation of said metals and 
formation of hard nodules throughout the mass of the alloy. 
Consequently, it has been the practice hitherto to include in 
such alloys manganese, magnesium, or some other deoxi- 
dizing agent, and more or less carbon ; the strength of such 
ordinary alloys being apparently dependent upon the 
amount of carbon retained therein. However, alloys within 
the proportions above stated may be made without the in- 
clusion of the deoxidizing agents aforesaid, and without 
regard to carbon and are not only homogeneous, but are so 
ductile that they may be readily rolled to sheet or drawn 
to tube and wire forms. 

Alloys in accordance with my invention do not require 
any special method or means of manufacture, and ordinary 
methods and means may be employed. 

I claim: - 

1. An alloy comprising iron, 80 to 120 parts ; nickel, 80 
to 120 parts ; copper, 1 part, and aluminium, 4 parts:. 

2. An alloy comprising Swedish iron, 110 parts ; nickel, 
90 parts ; copper, 1 part, and aluminium, 4 parts. 

127 



l,U0,13J h Eldred, May 18, 1915 

This relates to a composite leading-in Avire having a fer- 
rous-niekel core and a sheath of platinum, silver, gold, or 
copper. 

The sheath and core may be combined according to U. S. 
Patent 853,716. The core is preferably made of nickel- 
iron having a smaller coefficient of expansion than the 
glass. 

Thus, if the glass has an average coefficient of expan- 
sion of about 89 or 90 X 10- 7 , the core should have 38 to 
to 45 per cent, nickel, so that its average coefficient of 
expansion is 42 X 10- 7 to 77 X 10- 7 . The sheath, if of sil- 
ver, should be about 65 per cent, of the weight of the bil- 
let or core, if of copper, about 60 per cent., if of gold, about 
75 per cent. 

The billet is then worked down to wire, usually 0.006 to' 
0.015 inch diameter. 

With a lamp having glass having an average coefficient 
of expansion of say 89 X 10- 7 from common temperatures 
up to 300° C, the leading-in wire may have an average co- 
efficient of expansion lying between 60 X 10- 7 and 75 X 10- 7 
for temperatures up to 300° C. A tight joint is produced 
by the pressure between the glass and wire. Such a wire 
has a core containing 38 per cent, nickel. 

I claim : 

1. The combination, with a gas-tight receptacle having 
a wall of vitreous material, of a composite leading-in wire 
sealed therein, said wire comprising a core of metallic 
material having a coefficient of expansion whose average 
from the setting temperature of the glass down to normal, 
is less than that of the glass through the same range of 
temperatures, said wire having an external metallic sheath 
consisting of a metal of high electrical conductivity, said 
sheath having a coefficient of expansion whose average for 
said temperature range is greater than that of said glass, 
the said sheath being Tinited to the core to give a resultant 

128 



average of expansion of the wire for the said temperature 
range, such that a union may be made and maintained be- 
tween said sheath and the glass. 



s x 



1^40,135, Eldred ( A ssigned to Commercial Research Co. ) , 

May 18, 1915 

The description is substantially the same as No. 1,140,- 
134. 

I claim: 

1. The process of producing a composite metallic body 
with a predetermined coefficient of expansion, which con- 
sists in uniting a sheath of one kind of metallic material 
to a core of a different kind of metallic material, the core 
and sheath having different coefficients of expansion, one 
being greater and the other less than the required pre- 
determined coefficient of expansion, the thickness of the 
sheath being so adjusted relative to the size of the core 
as to give to the composite metallic body a resultant co- 
efficient of expansion substantially that determined. 

1 ,140 ,186 , Eldred (Assigned to Commercial Research Co.), 

May 18, 1915 

This invention relates especially to leading-in wires for 
lamps, although this invention may be applied also to other 
uses, and it includes as a new article of manufacture a com- 
posite wire or sheet having a core or layer of a low-expan- 
sion metal or alloy firmly united to a layer of high-expan- 
sion metal of high conductivity, the relative thickness of 
such layers and the relative expansions of the metals there- 
of being so correlated that the composite wire or sheet as a 
whole shall have a compound regular rate of expansion, 
such rate of expansion being below and advantageously ma- 
terially below, that of platinum or ordinary glass ; that is, 
materially below an average rate of expansion of 0.0000089 
or 0.0000090 for each centigrade degree of change in tem- 

129 



perature through the sealing-iu range and below, say, from 
about 300° to normal temperature; such composite wire 
advantageously having a core of nickel-steel of proper low 
expansion and an external sheath or layer of copper or 
silver; all as more fully hereinafter described and as 
claimed. 

The invention also includes a method of producing wire 
as fully disclosed and claimed hereinafter. 

In the manufacture of incandescent lamps it has here- 
tofore been the practice to use platinum leading-in wires 
for conveying the current from an exterior source to th( 
filament within the lamp bulb. Platinum has been em- 
ployed for this purpose because of certain characteristics 
which render it particularly suited for the purpose and 
which have been heretofore regarded as practically indis- 
pensable in a leading-in wire. Among these Characteristics 
may be mentioned (1) its relatively low coefficient of ex- 
pansion, which is nearer than that of any other pure, high 
melting metal to the coefficient of expansion of glass; (2) 
its peculiar superficial affinity for molten glass whereby 
its surface is actually wetted by molten glass; and (3) its 
unoxidizability, which insures the maintenance of a clean 
metallic surface throughout the heating operations in- 
volved in making lamp seals. 

The thermal coefficient of expansion and contraction of 
platinum, is generally stated to be from about 0.0000089 to 
0.0000091 for each centigrade degree change in tempera- 
ture. The thermal coefficient of glass is always somewhat 
below that of platinum, and with many types of glass it is 
very much below that of platinum. Glass can be produced, 
however, having at temperatures, say, below 100° C. an ex- 
pansion as high as 0.0000081, rising to 0.0000087 to 
0.0000088 at temperatures around 300° C. A union can 
therefore be formed with platinum at the softening point 
of such glass which will in most cases persist. The tend- 
ency of the platinum, which contracts more than the glass 
on cooling, to shrink away from the glass, is resisted by 
the mechanical strength of the union formed with the soft- 

130 



ened glass. In the cooled lamp the layers of glass next the 
wire are, however, under tension, and this may produce 
cracks: and air leaks. Much, however, depends on the thick- 
ness of the wire; thin wire being safer in this respect than 
thick. 

All high melting metals other than platinum have a still 
greater thermal rate of expansion and consequently it has 
not been feasible to employ such metals alone as leading- 
in wires, for the obvious reason that the tensile stresses be- 
tween such wires and the glass would be so great as to 
destroy the seal. Furthermore, the tendency of metals, 
such as iron, to oxidize readily especially under the high 
temperature conditions obtaining in lamp manufacture has 
rendered it practically impossible to keep the surface of 
such leading-in wires clean. With most metals, porous 
oxide layers are formed and the formation of an air-tight 
joint with the glass has been prevented. Further, since 
platinum leading-in wires in practice must be made exceed- 
ingly thin, both for the sake of economy and to reduce the 
strain in the metal- glass union, the conductivity is not good. 
Platinum is a relatively poor conductor. In my applica- 
tion No. 790,467 I have disclosed and claimed a compound 
wire having a platinum surface, a low-expansion nickel 
steel core and an intermediate linking layer of copper or 
silver, the wire as a whole having an expansion below that 
of platinum; and in my application No. 656,987 I have 
claimed such a wire in connection with a glass article in 
which it is sealed. This type of leading-in wire has proved 
eminently satisfactory in practice; but it is to be noted 
that it involves the use. of a platinum surfaced leading-in 
wire. It has been considered necessary to have platinum in 
contact with glass in order to secure a perfectly satisfac- 
tory union or seal between the wire and the glass. The 
present invention is directed to an improvement over the 
leading-in wire specifically claimed in the said applications, 
whereby the use of the expensive platinum sheath may be 
done away with if certain conditions, hereinafter to be 
more fully described, are carefully observed. 

131 



In experimenting with leading-in wires of the general 
type of said prior applications, that is, with leading-in 
wires having a regulated coefficient of expansion below that 
of the glass into which they are to be sealed, I have dis- 
covered that if the coefficient of expansion of the wire be 
carried sufficiently far below that of the glass employed at 
temperatures involved in the sealing operation to cause ab- 
solute contact by compressive forces, it is not necessary to 
employ platinum for contacting with the glass, as has here- 
tofore been generally considered indispensable. Under the 
conditions just mentioned, the glass during the cooling- 
down from the sealing-in temperature exerts a strong posi- 
tive pinch or compression on the sealed-in wire, this com- 
pression causing the glass to be in extremely intimate con- 
tact with the surface of the leading-in wire, with the result 
that a tight seal is formed, amply sufficient to maintain the 
requisite degree of vacuum in the lamp bulb at all times. 
When the glass is hot, it is, of course, quite plastic and can 
shrink into absolute conformity with the wire surface. By 
choosing a high melting, low expansion alloy, such as cer- 
tain alloys of nickel and iron, a leading-in wire can be 
made to have a rate of expansion as much less than that 
of the particular glass in question as may be desired. These 
nickel-iron alloys have a lower expansion than either iron 
or nickel alone. Although such alloys are, of course, more 
or less oxidizable, the formation of oxide to a reasonable 
extent on a surface of the wire during the formation of the 
seal does not interfere with the production of an air-tight 
union with the glass, this being due to the fact that the 
surface of the joint is so tightly compressed by the sur- 
rounding glass during the sealing-in operation as to cause 
a perfect joint. It is, of course, feasible also to perforin the 
sealing-in operation in an inert atmosphere of hydrogen, 
nitrogen or the like if it is deemed desirable to prevent oxi- 
dation altogether, in which event such a strong compres- 
sion of the glass on the wire is not required. 

While it is possible to obtain good seals with leading in 
wires of nickel-iron alloys, such alloys when used alone 

132 



have certain drawbacks, among which may be mentioned 
particularly their irregular rate of expansion through the 
range of temperatures involved in making lamp seals. The 
expansion curve for nickel-steel alloys of the low expan- 
sion types here in consideration is rather irregular and is 
by no means rectilinear between temperatures of 0° and 
325° C, the latter temperature being approximately the 
highest temperature involved in making lamp seals, that 
is, about the temperature at which lainpglass sets to its 
hardened state from its softened or plastic condition. The 
particular nickel-steel alloy corresponding to the curve 
contains about 38 per cent, nickel. In making wire for 
lamp purposes, I have found it advantageous, therefore, to 
provide a low expansion nickel-iron alloy core with a sheath 
of another high melting metal whose rate of expansion, al- 
though much higher than that of glass or of the core, is 
nevertheless substantially uniform over the range of tem- 
peratures in question. In this way, the irregular expan- 
sion curve of the nickel- iron alloy may be forced, so to 
speak, to assume much greater uniformity. That is, the 
compound wire, as a whole, has a compounded rate of ex- 
pansion materially more uniform than that of the nickel- 
iron alloy, although somewhat less uniform, of course, than 
the high expansion sheath. By selecting a nickel-iron alloy 
of sufficiently low thermal expansion and combining a 
core of this alloy with a regulating sheath of high expan- 
sion metal of the proper relative dimensions, the compound 
leading-in wire as a whole may be given any combined or 
average coefficient of expansion desired, which may be as 
much less than that of the particular type of glass to be 
used as may be desired. Various high melting metals, ex- 
cluding platinum, may be employed to give this forced or 
regulated rate of expansion through the range of tempera- 
tures involved in lamp making to the compound leading-in 
wire. For most purposes, however, I find a regulating 
sheath of copper to be most satisfactory and this is es- 
pecially desirable for leading-in wires, on account of the 
high conductivity of copper. Such copper sheath may be 



united to the nickel-iron core integrally as by a weld-union 
produced in accordance with the process described in the 
United States Patent to Monnot, 853,716. Better results, 
however, may be attained in another method of weld-unit- 
ing hereinafter more specifically described. Where the 
sheath and core are weld-united in this manner, the regu- 
lating effect of the copper sheath in straightening the ex- 
pansion curve of the wire as a whole and forcing it to ap- 
proach rectilinearity is most effective. 

While the integral union between the copper sheath and 
its supporting core is a distinct advantage for the reasons 
specified, I do not desire to be limited to the use of such 
a bimetallic wire. A union effected by soldering or ham- 
mering, hot swaging, etc., may be used, but is more liable 
to be defective and such, defects may only be disclosed 
when the finished lamp is tested. Since, however, a lead- 
ing-in wire under the present invention may be made so as 
to be strongly compressed by the glass into which it is 
sealed, during the sealing-in operation the weld union be- 
tween core and sheath is not absolutely indispensable, al- 
though it is much to be preferred. 

In addition to straightening out and rendering more 
nearly uniform the expansion rate of the leading-in wire, 
the copper sheath has the additional function of materially 
increasing its conductivity. Nickel-iron alloys have a con- 
ductivity relatively low as compared with copper. This 
second function of the copper sheath is therefore an ex- 
tremely important and advantageous one. In this com- 
pound wire the copper gives conductivity and the nickel- 
steel strength and low expansion ; and, in a way, the wire 
may be regarded as a reinforced, low-expansion copper 
wire. 

Instead of using copper for the sheath, either silver or 
gold may be employed, both metals being good conductors 
and the rates of expansion of both of these metals being 
much more uniform than that of nickel-iron alloys, al- 
though considerably higher than that of glass or of plati- 
num. Nickel, iron, or any other high melting metal having 

134 



a relatively high, but sufficiently uniform coefficient of ex- 
pansion, may also be used for the sheath under some condi- 
tions. The highly conductive metals of the copper class, 
copper, gold and silver are, however, better. The nickel- 
steel of the core is not highly conductive and pure metals 
of the iron class are not much better. Use of metals of 
the copper class as one layer is, therefore, much more ad- 
vantageous. 

With glass having a coefficient of expansion of, say, 
0,0000087 from common temperatures up to 300° C, it is 
advantageous to employ a leading-in wire having an aver- 
age coefficient of expansion lying between 0.0000060 and 
0.0000075 within the same range of temperature. With a 
leading-in wire of this description the pressure existing be- 
tween the wire and glass in the seal is sufficient to insure 
a permanently tight joint; and at the same time, this pres- 
sure is not so great as to require the use of thicker or more 
massive lamp stems than are ordinarily employed in pres- 
ent practice. By increasing the size of the lamp stem its 
strength (to withstand stress) may be correspondingly 
increased, permitting the use of leading-in wires having 
much lower coefficients of expansion than that above men- 
tioned; and under some circumstances this may be desir- 
able. Of course, where glasses of lower expansion coeffi- 
cients are to be used, the leading-in wire should have a cor- 
respondingly lower coefficient of expansion. In this con- 
nection, it is to be understood that by suitably varying the 
proportions of nickel and iron in a nickel-iron alloy, an 
alloy having practically any desired average rate of expan- 
sion is obtainable, the upper limits being those of the in- 
dividual metals while the lower limit may be carried down 
very low and may be made substantially zero> for tempera- 
tures not over 100° C. 

In a typical embodiment of the present invention in its 
most advantageous form, I may use a nickel-iron alloy con- 
taining, say, 38 per cent, nickel and having an average co- 
efficient of expansion up to 100° C. of about 0.0000025. A 
billet of this alloy may be provided by any suitable method 

135 



with an outer layer or sheath of copper. This layer may 
then be turned down in a lathe to the exact thickness re- 
quired to correct the expansion curve of the nickel-iron 
alloy and to give the requisite degree of uniformity in the 
rate of expansion in the complete leading-in wire. The 
billet may then be drawn or swaged to wire and annealed. 
In practice, the billet or rod of nickel- iron alloy may be 
0.892 inch in diameter, and after the copper layer is at- 
tached thereto, the assemblage may be turned down to a 
cylinder of 1 inch diameter. In the finished wire result- 
ing from drawing down the billet, the total diameter may 
be, say, .008 to .015 inch in diameter, the thickness of the 
copper layer being advantageously about 0.00005 inch. 
The foregoing dimensions are to be understood to be il- 
lustrative only and as capable of considerable variation. 

In producing the article, I find it advantageous to use a 
vertical bar or core of low expansion nickel steel alloy with 
a surrounding layer of molten copper in a carbon or 
graphite mould, causing the molten copper to solidify and 
weld-unite to the core. By this process (which is more 
specifically described in my application No. 539,245. filed 
Jan. 21, 1910), not only is a firm and permanent weld se- 
cured, but the article gives a wire which unites better with 
glass than does a copper-surfaced wire secured in other 
ways. 

It is to be understood, of course, that the important 
temperature is that at which the glass sets from its plastic 
condition. This temperature varies somewhat according 
to the nature of the glass and in general is above 300° O. 

In a modified form of the invention, I may use a wire 
comprising an annular sheath of nickel-iron alloy or other 
suitable high-melting ferrous alloy surrounding a central 
body of copper, but for most purposes the reverse arrange- 
ment is better. I may also use a leading-in wire having 
more than two layers of metal. For example, the wire 
may have a core of a. high-melting ferrous alloy, a sheath of 
copper, and an exterior layer or coating of silver or gold 
incasing the compound core of the ferrous alloy and cop- 

136 



per. It is to be understood therefore that the term "core" 
as herein employed may refer not merely to a single core 
of a single metal or alloy, but may refer also to a com- 
posite core such as has just been described. The present 
invention includes a two-layer wire, the core being one 
layer and the sheath another; but either layer may be 
composite. It is also to be noted that a wire may be made 
with a high-melting alloy either coating or centrally cor- 
ing a body of nickel-steel. The coefficient of expansion of 
such alloy is not likely, as a rule, to be as uniform as that 
of copper, for example ; but it is only necessary that its ex- 
pansion be sufficiently uniform to exert a substantial cor- 
rective effect on that of the nickel-steel and thus to force 
a more nearly uniform rate of expansion in the finished 
wire. 

In referring to nickel-iron alloys, it is to be understood 
that this term covers all alloys containing nickel and iron 
which are suitable for present purposes by reason of their 
low expansion as compared with either nickel or iron alone 
and is used as synonymous with the term "nickel-steel.'' 

By reason of the high compressive strains between glass 
and the like, and a metallic conductor sealed therein, 
which may be obtained according to the present invention, 
seals of this character are in many instances superior to 
those obtained by using leading-in wires of solid platinum. 
The tensile stresses between platinum and glass, due to 
the considerably higher rate of expansion and contraction 
of the platinum, may be entirely eliminated by the present 
invention, as has been clearly pointed out. On this ac- 
count, it is now possible to substitute for platinum, which 
is so expensive and which is not wholly satisfactory, lead- 
ing-in conductors having base metal or alloy surfaces; 
or having cores of base metals or alloys provided with ex- 
ternal sheaths, of silver, gold or other non-platinum metal, 
much cheaper than platinum itself, the wire as a whole 
also being a better conductor than platinum and better 
suited to modern high capacity lamps. 



131 



While, as stated, I may use other combinations of metals, 
the best embodiment of the invention comprises a copper- 
coated nickel steel. The copper not only has the function 
of correcting the curve of expansion, but the greater fur- 
ther advantage of given a relatively high conductivity to 
the composite wire. Gold-surfaced and silver-surfaced 
wires are good conductors and less oxidizable ; but the cop- 
per-surfaced wires on the whole I deem the best suited for 
my present purposes. Other low-expanding alloys and 
metals may be used in lieu of nickel steel, but the latter 
is best. The use of alloys of metals melting at low tem- 
peratures such as lead, tin, antimony, etc., is, of course, 
precluded by the heat necessary in sealing wire through 
glass. 

While advantageously the expansion of the wire is as 
above pointed out, less than that of platinum or of the 
glass with which it is to be used, yet in another aspect the 
present invention may be said to include a method of re- 
ducing the expansion of highly conductive metals by unit- 
ing them with alloys of low expansion to produce a com- 
pounded reduced expansion; in the provision of a highH 
conductive wire of reduced expansion. 

What I claim isi : 

1. A composite low expansion wire comprising a core 
of nickel steel and an external copper sheath welded there- 
to, said wire as a whole having less expansion than plati- 
num. 

2. A composite low expansion wire comprising a core 
of nickel steel and an external sheath of a metal of the 
copper class welded thereto, said wire as a whole having 
less expansion than platinum. 

3. As a new article of manufacture, a copper surfaced 
wire having a rate of expansion as a whole below that 
of platinum. 



138 



4. As a new article of manufacture, a composite wire 
having a surface of base metal and having a rate of ex- 
pansion as a whole below that of platinum. 

5. As a new article of manufacture, a wire having a 
surface of metal of the copper class and a rate of expan- 
sion as a whole below that of platinum. 

6. A 2-layer composite wire, one such layer being of 
low-expansion nickel steel and the other layer of high-ex- 
pansion high-melting metal, the wire as a whole having 
an expansion less than that of platinum. 

7. As a lamp wire, reinforced copper surface wire, said 
reinforcement consisting of an interior layer of low expan- 
sion nickel-iron alloy. 

8. As a lamp wire, a composite wire composed of a 
layer of copper and another layer of low expansion nickel- 
steel in sufficient amount to reduce the total expansion suf- 
ficiently to secure a seal with lamp glass. 

9. A leading-in wire comprising an outer sheath of high- 
melting, high-conductive material united to a core of nickel- 
steel having an average coefficient of expansion distinctly 
below that of the sheath, the core being under compression . 
by the sheath at all temperatures to which the wire is sub- 
jected in lamp-making use. 

1J.89, 19 Jf, Eldred (Assigned to General Electric Co.), 

June 21, 1916 

This invention relates to the production of a composite 
wire having a metallic core surrounded by a platinum 
sheath, for leading-in wires. 

A bar of strong, ferrous metal, preferably a nickel-steel 
of such composition as to give the same rate of expansion 
as the glass, is coated with a film of silver, copper or gold. 
Copper is suitable. The rate of expansion of the filmed 
bar may be equivalent to that of the same thickness of 
the glass to be used. This filmed bar is now inserted into 

139 



a closely fitting sheath of platinum, and the temperature 
is raised to a point equal to or exceeding the melting point 
of the filming metal. The heat is preferably carried far 
enough to render this filming metal liquid or plastic. 

I claim : 

1. The process of producing clad metals which com- 
prises producing a coating of metal of high expansion upon 
a metal of lower expansion, placing the coated core within 
a closely fitting shell of noble metal and heating to the 
fusing point of such coating metal to produce a metallic 
union between the core and shell. 



1^97,615, Eldred ( Assigned to General Electric Co.), 

Sept. 12, 1916 

This relates to leading-in wires for incandescent lamps, 
and a platinum substitute therefor. 

The wire has a core of nickel- steel or other low ex- 
pansion high-melting alloy or metal, and a sheath of plati- 
num. The core may be made of a low expansion ferrous 
alloy of lower thermal expansion than the glass into which 
the wire is sealed. 

A nickel-steel is preferred which, up to about 100° C. 
has an expansion of about 0.0000025, much less than that 
of platinum. A nickel-steel containing 38 per cent, of 
nickel answers the purpose very well. Since the rate of 
expansion is not constant, the core of nickel-steel is united 
with a regulating layer of copper, silver, gold, or plati- 
num or their alloys. All these metals, with the exception 
of platinum, have a relatively high rate of expansion, which 
is not far from uniform at the temperatures here impor- 
tant. The union between the core and sheath must be ab- 
solute, and in the nature of a weld union. 

Platinum is preferable to silver or copper as a sheath, 
becaixse it forms a wetting union with molten or softened 
glass. The outer layer of platinum must be united to the 

140 



copper with a true metallic union, free from all flaws or 
defects. An intermediate layer of copper is also desirable. 
It is possible to make this composite wire with a high 
temperature coefficient as low as 0.0000050, but it is found 
advisable to not go much below 0.0000070. With glass 
having a coefficient 0.0000068 and 0.0000072, gives particu- 
larly satisfactory results. The platinum sheath may some- 
times be omitted, it being important that the wire have a 
lower coefficient of expansion than the glass. A nickel 
steel billet may be provided with a welded-on copper layer- 
by the method described in U. S. Patents 853,716 or 539,- 
245, and this layer turned down to the exact relative thick- 
ness required and inserted into a close fitting platinum 
tube or thimble. On now heating to the melting point of 
copper, the three layers become mechanically united. The 
billet may next be drawn or swaged to a wire and annealed. 

I claim : 

1. As a new material, a composite wire comprising a 
core of nickel steel, a layer of another metal of high ex- 
pansion welded thereto, and an exterior sheath of plati- 
num welded to said layer, said wire as a whole having a 
lower coefficient of expansion than platinum. 

1^17,581, Eldred, Feb. 27, 1917 

This relates to making clad metals. 

If a body of steel is placed in a mould made of artificial 
graphite, which conducts heat freely, and a body of copper 
is placed next thereto, and the assemblage heated up to 
the fusing point of copper, and then locally cooled in a 
special manner while maintaining the heat, cohesively 
united compound bodies can be secured. Molten copper 
may be cast against the steel. 

The local cooling is accomplished by cooling the base 
of the metals while maintaining the heat at the top ; so that 
the line of solidification between the metals progresses 
upwards. 

141 



Iii a simple method of operation, a body of steel is placed 
in a container of synthetic graphite with a slab of copper 
next thereto and the mould placed in front of a furnace. 
The mould may now be pushed from one end of the floor 
of the furnace to the other and during its progress the 
copper is brought to a state of fusion. After the fusion is 
completed the mould is pushed on to a water-cooled floor 
at the end of the furnace while still exposed to the flames 
of the furnace, thereby securing the desired differential 
temperature. 

I claim : 

1. The process of making clad metals Avhich comprises 
placing a body of a high melting iron-like metal in a mould, 
placing a body of an unlike, non-ferrous high melting 
metal of somewhat lower melting point in contact there- 
with, raising the temperature until the second-named 
metal melts and cooling the mould and contents from be- 
low upward by abstraction of heat from the bottom there- 
of while still supplying heat to the residue of the mould so 
that the topmost layer of molten metal shall be the last to 
solidify. 



142 



BRITISH PATENTS 

Class 2. 

21,621, Mito, 1892 

A fusible alloy for connecting leading-in wires and plat- 
inum wires in making electric lamps consists of tin 95 
parts and copper 5 parts; from y 2 to 1 per cent, of lead or 
zinc may be added. The alloy is stated to have about the 
same coefficient of expansion as glass and to be more 
fusible than glass. This alloy also secures the filament 
to the platinum wires. 

11,695 of 1897 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 626,609 on page 121. 

21,881 of 1899, Lake 

Numerous experiments have heretofore been made with 
the object of substituting a less costly metal for the plati- 
num which conveys the current to the filaments of incan- 
descent lamps. The adaptability of alloys of steel and 
nickel for the above mentioned purpose has been particu- 
larly considered, but in applying such alloys in practice 
serious difficulties have been encountered so that it has 
been found necessary to modify the ordinary method of 
manufacturing these lamps. It is this particular method 
of manufacturing that forms the subject of the present 
application. 

Nickel steel is far from being as refractory as platinum 
and the result is that it becomes brittle and oxidizes when 
introduced into the frame of a blow-lamp. Nickel steel 

143 



even when it lias been annealed in cacao evolves when 
heated to a high temperature a large amount of gas which 
remains interposed between the glass and the metal and 
this prevents the attainment of a tight steel or joint, which 
is necessary for maintaining the vacuum in the bulb of the 
lamp. 

To obviate these facts I so arrange nickel steel wire that 
it does not come in contact with the frame. This is effect- 
ed by inserting the wire in a glass tube which is heated 
to a temperature equal to, but not exceeding that required 
for softening the glass. The glass thus softened is caused 
to closely surround the metal by contraction or it may be 
applied to the metal by the aid of pincers or a like tool, 
or by other suitable means in such a manner as to form 
a tight joint. The surplus of the glass tube may, if de- 
sired, be then removed and the rest will be a combination 
of glass and metal which can be easily joined to the bulb. 
It is advantageous to employ as far a® possible a very thin 
glass tube so that the softening of the glass may be rap- 
idly effected. By this means the work is more quickly 
performed while at the same time the inconveniences aris- 
ing from the heating of the metal are reduced to a mini- 
mum. 

One arrangement which may be adapted for carrying out 
the method hereinbefore set forth, consists in blowing- 
two small tubes to one end of a larger tube terminated 
by a bell-mouthed portion, which latter is subsequently 
welded to the bulb. A nickel steel wire is then inserted in 
each of the small tubes and the latter contracted around 
the metal wire in the manner hereinbefore explained. The 
carbon filament is next fired to the conducting nickel steel 
wires in the usual manner and finally the whole is joined 
to and enclosed in the bulb as is well known. The manu- 
facture of the incandescent lamp is completed in the or- 
dinary manner. 

Instead of the above described arrangement the wire 
may be first imbedded in or surrounded by glass; on the 
other hand dipping it in molten glass or by putting glass 

144 



around it. The alloys of steel and nickel employed in the 
above combination of glass, steel and nickel, may be one 
of the following two groups : 

1. The group containing from 29 to 30 per cent, of 
nickel. 

2. The group containing from 43 to 48 per cent, of 
nickel. 

Ordinarily, the alloys of the second group are employed 
in the manufacture of my improved lamps, such alloys be- 
ing less oxidizable than those of the first group. The per- 
centage of nickel is such as to obtain an alloy having the 
same coefficient of expansion as glass to which the bulb is 
made. 

Hereinbefore mentioned percentages in nickel are suit- 
able for alloys containing a very small px'oportion of man- 
ganese, chromium, and other metals frequently employed 
in metallurgy. But the coefficient of expansion of the al- 
loys tends to increase with the percentage of these metals. 
Such increase may, however, be compensated by an in- 
crease in the percentage of the nickel for the first group 
and decrease for the second group. Generally speaking an 
alloy having the coefficient of expansion of a certain glass 
can be obtained by adding appropriate quantities of iron, 
nickel, chromium, manganese, and so forth, to the alloy of 
steel and nickel which contains about 36 per cent., and in 
which the expansion coefficient is approximately nil. 

The invention therefore permits of the manufacture of 
incandescent lamps without the use of platinum which 
considerably reduces the cost of the lamp. Various trials 
have been made with the object of limiting the use of plati- 
num in such lamps by employing conductors composed of 
3 parts soldered together, end to end, in such a manner 
that only the portion traversing the glass is of platinum. 
This arrangement, however, increased the cost of manufac- 
ture while the low price of the above mentioned alloy per- 
mits of its employment for the whole conductor extend- 
ing from the contact for the current to the filament. 

145 



Nevertheless, as this alloy may be easily soldered or brazed 
with other metals, it can also be used in the above de- 
scribed manner. Moreover, the invention is not limited, 
as in the case with platinum, to the employment of bulbs 
having a predetermined coefficient of expansion, such as 
that of platinum, since alloys can be provided having any 
desired coefficient of expansion. 

24,918 of 190J h Hyde 
( This corresponds to U. S. Patent No. 825,219. ) 

In the manufacture of incandescent electric lamps and 
analogous vessels requiring conductors to be sealed there- 
into and a high vacuum to be retained therein, platinum 
has hitherto been the only conductor that could be satis- 
factorily sealed into the glass so as to make an air-tight 
joint. 

Various attempts have been made to provide an economi- 
cal substitute for platinum for this purpose. It is essential 
that such substitute shall have a coefficient of expansion 
so nearly that of glass into which it is to be sealed that 
when sealed into the glass of incandescent electric lamp 
bulbs, or analogous vessels an air-tight joint will be formed 
sufficient to maintain the required vacuum, and a crack- 
ing of the glass will not take place. 

It is known, for example, that alloys of nickel with iron 
and especially those consisting of either 25 per cent, of 
nickel and 75 per cent, of iron or of 43 per cent, of nickel 
and 57 per cent, of iron have a coefficient of expansion, such 
that the conductors made of the said alloys can be sealed 
into glass without the glass cracking, or the conductors 
contracting, bxit the use of these alloys in place of platinum 
was open to serious objections. One objection was that 
unless special precautions which are expensive and trouble- 
some, be taken, a film of oxide is formed on the surface of 
the nickel-iron alloy whilst it is being sealed into the glass, 
and this film prevents the close adhesion of the glass to the 
metallic surface of the conductor alloys, so that the air 

140 



permeates between the said metallic surface and the glass 
so that the necessary vacuum is not l'etained. Another ob- 
jection to the use of such alloys is that frothing of the glass 
due to the evolution of gases occluded in the conductor, is 
liable further to impair the air-tight character of the joints. 

For these reasons the use of conductors formed of afore- 
said alloys has not been successful in practice in making 
joints which are required to be sufficiently tight to prevent 
leakage and retain a vacuum, the liability to leakage being 
too great to make conductors formed from the said alloys 
commercially efficient substitutes for conductors of plati- 
num. Various means have been proposed with a view to 
overcome the objection due to 1 oxidation ; for example, it has 
been proposed to cover such conductor with a preliminary 
coating of glass applied in vacuo (see Cardan's Specifica- 
tion of Letters Patent No. 18,255, A. D., 1903), and it has 
been proposed to cover such conductors with a tube or 
sheath of non-oxidizable metal or alloy (see Thorn's Speci- 
fication of Letters Patent No. 908, A. D., 1890), but as far 
as I am aware, neither of such means has resulted in the 
production commercially, of a satisfactory substitute for 
platinum as a conductor. 

My invention has for its object to overcome these diffi- 
culties and to produce an entirely satisfactory, and com- 
mercially available substitute for platinum as a conduc- 
tor for the purposes aforesaid and I effect this by the fol- 
lowing means. 

I have discovered that hydrogen affects in a remarkable 
manner the behavior of certain metals and alloys (notably 
alloys of the platinum group), when they are in molten 
condition. I have found that hydrogen promotes the 
liquidity and mobility of the molten metal, or alloy, and 
that in the case of a molten alloy hydrogen enables a 
larger proportion of the more refractory metal to be used 
in the alloy than can be used at the same temperature 
without the mediation of hydrogen and I have found that, 
in coating a solid metal, or alloy with a molten metal or 
alloy, the hydrogen plays the part of a gaseous flux, its ac- 

147 



tion being such that the metal or alloy to be coated is as it 
were, wetted by the molten metal or alloy, producing an 
effect somewhat analogous to that brought about by ordi- 
nary fluxes in what is technically known as "tinning." 

I have also found that hydrogen has the property of 
cleansing, or freeing from occluded gases, the aforesaid 
nickel in alloys, and the difficulty hereinbefore mentioned, 
due to the evolution of the occluded gases while sealing in 
the conductors is therefore likewise overcome by heating 
the said nickel-iron alloysi in an atmosphere of hydrogen. 

Applying these observations to the coating of nickel- 
iron alloys with a non-oxidizable metal or alloy, I have 
found that if I dip a wire or the like of nickel-iron alloy 
into an atmosphere of hydrogen the conductor produced 
possesses not only a coefficient of expansion, the same as, 
or approximately equal to, that of the. glass into which it 
is to be sealed, but that the said conductor possesses all 
these physical qualities of surface which characterize plati- 
num in its union with glass. 

In this specification and also in the claims when I refer 
to a non-oxidizable metal or alloy I mean a metal or alloy 
which will not be oxidized under conditions pertaining to 
the sealing of the conductors into glass. 

The non-oxidizable coating I prefer, is one consisting of 
an alloy of silver and platinum such that its melting point 
is sufficiently lower than that of the nickel-iron alloy, to 
allow of wires or the like of such nickel-iron being dipped 
in or passed through, a molten bath of the non-oxidizable 
alloy without the nickel-iron alloy being melted. The com- 
position which I find most suitable is an alloy containing 
from 30 per cent, to 50 per cent, of platinum. I may coat 
the conductors of nickel-iron alloy by introducing them in 
suitable lengths in a molten bath of non-oxidizable coating- 
metal or alloy contained in a crucible, or equivalent ves- 
sel, heated in any suitable manner which will keep the 
bath in the requisite molten condition, but I consider that 
the most practical way is to pass continuous lengths of 
conductor through the said molten bath, an atmosphere of 

148 



hydrogen being maintained in any case in the said crucible, 
or equivalent vessel, containing the molten bath during the 
coating operation. I may, for example, in coating a con- 
tinuous length of conductor cause the wire, or the like, to 
pass from a reel through a suitable opening, or passage, 
and under the curved lower end of a guide of any suitable 
hard and highly refractory material such as porcelain or 
the like, the said guide being mounted so that it can be 
conveniently raised and lowered in the molten bath. 
The wire, or the like, after passing through the molten 
bath, is led through a suitable opening or passage, out of 
the crucible or vessel containing the bath, and may be 
wound on a receiving reel. The hydrogen can be admitted 
as required by a passage and an opening or openings in the 
upper part of the crucible or vessel, containing the molten 
bath or through passages made in the aforesaid refractory 
guide under sufficient pressure to maintain an atmosphere 
of hydrogen in the space above the molten bath and also if 
desired, in the passages, through which the wive, or the 
like, is laid, led and passed through the said crucible or 
equivalent vessel. The hydrogen can be withdrawn as de- 
sired by any suitable outlet opening and passage, or it may 
be burnt thereat provided that an atmosphere of hydrogen 
be maintained in the crucible, or analogous vessel contain- 
ing the molten bath. 

The thickness of coating applied to the conductors may 
be regulated by the rate of withdrawal of the conductor 
from the bath or by variation in the temperature of the 
bath, the higher the temperature the thinner being the coat- 
ing. By the use of hydrogen as aforesaid during the coat- 
ing process by means of the molten bath, I prevent oxida- 
tion of the nickel-iron alloy in the process of coating and 
I obtain a satisfactory adhesion of the nonoxidizable coat- 
ing to the nickel-iron alloy and freedom from frothing and 
cracking of the glass in the sealing-in operation and an 
intimate adhesion between the coated conductor and the 
glass such as to render said coated conductor an economi- 



149 



eal and practical satisfactory substitute for platinum for 
the aforesaid purposes. 

The coating operation by the molten bath in an at- 
mosphere of hydrogen as aforesaid may be depended upon 
to cleanse the wire, or the like, from occluded gases or 
the wire, or the like, or, they can be previously treated to 
remove the said occluded gases (for example, by previ- 
ously heating the said wire, or the like, in an atmosphere 
of hydrogen ) and afterwards be passed through the molten 
coating bath in an atmosphere of hydrogen as aforesaid. 

16,503 of 1907, Deutsche Gascjluhlicht Aktiengesellschaft 

This invention relates to improvements in electric incan- 
descent lamps and consists in an improved method of at- 
taching tungsten filaments to the fused ends of the current 
leads. 

At the present time the ends of the tungsten filaments 
used in electric lamps are attached in the current leads by 
fusing the ends of the leads which, when they solidify, 
hold the ends of the incandescent filaments firmly in 
place. This method can be carried out successfully when 
platinum wires are used as the current leads ; but if nickel 
wires be used, frequent breakages will occur. This is 
caused by the formation of an alloy of a small portion of 
the nickel with the tungsten when the nickel ends are 
fused (by means of the electric arc). This alloy is itself 
readily fusible and causes a reduction in the sectional 
area of the filaments in the vicinity of the fused portion 
owing to the fusible alloy running down, and this causes 
the filaments to break readily at these weakened places. 
If copper be used for the current lead. wire instead of 
nickel, another defect is caused by the filament breaking- 
through and escaping from the surrounding fused globule 
before it has solidified. 

The present invention relates to a means for obviating 
these inconveniences by using, as the current lead wire, a 
wire containing two metals ; one of them being, for in- 

150 



stance, copper itself, or a metal (such as silver) which be- 
haves like copper, and a second metal, for instance, nickel 
or a metal (such as iron) of analogous behavior. 

It is important that one of the metals should readily 
form alloys with tungsten, while the other metal should 
not. 

A convenient means consists in using wires composed of 
alloys of the aforesaid metals, though it is also sufficient 
for the two metals to be merely mechanically united, in 
the wires. For example, a wire can be used, composed of 
nickel with a coating of copper, or a copper wire coated 
with nickel. 

15?3Jf2 of 1912, British Thomson-Houston Go. 

Alloys of iron-chromium used for making leading-in 
wires to be sealed into vitreous articles, such as electric 
incandescent lamps, preferably contain from 20 to 30 per 
cent, of chromium, but the amount may range between 13 
and 50 per cent. In making these alloys, chromium may 
be added to molten iron and under a slag, in an electric 
arc furnace, for instance, in which the iron has been freed 
from sulphur, phosphorus, carbon and other impurities. 
In working ingots into wire, longitudinal scratches should 
be avoided. The alloys have about the same expansion as 
glass, by which they are wetted when sealed, any oxide on 
the surface being so thin that it adheres both to the metal 
and the glass. 

23,775 of 1912, British Thomson-Houston Go. 

A composite wire for sealing into glass has a core, which 
may consist of an alloy of 54 parts of iron and 46 parts of 
nickel, sheathed, for instance, in an alloy of copper and 
cobalt. These parts may be united by a thin layer of an 
alloy of silver and copper. 

flee Dritioh Tatcnt 18,11 3 of 1013 on pago 
See 13,413 of 1913 on page 22S. 

151 



21,669 of 1913, Eldred 
This corresponds to U S. Patent 1,140,136 on page 128. 

13,207 of 1915, British Thomson-Houston Co., Ltd. 

This invention relates to an improved alloy which has 
been found particularly suitable for use in the manufac- 
ture of lead wires for electric lamps, and consists of an 
alloy of nickel, cobalt and manganese. 

The proportions in which the three metals are alloyed 
may be as follows : 

Cobalt 20 to 30 parts 

Nickel 80 to 70 parts 

Manganese A few parts 

In accordance with this invention the alloy can be pre- 
pared as follows : 

One part by weight of cobalt and three parts by weight 
of nickel are melted together in an aluminium crucible, the 
metal being preferably protected by an atmosphere of 
hydrogen, iy 2 to 2 per cent, of manganese is added to the 
melt and after it has become quiescent, it is cooled to about 
1250° C. and then chilled in water. 

In preparing the alloy, care should be taken to avoid 
aluminium, lime and other basic impurities', and the ma- 
terials should also be free from sulphur, phosphorus, sili- 
con and carbon. These impurities tend to make the alloy 
brittle, but traces of iron do not appear to have a detri- 
mental effect. 

The alloy is exceedingly ductile and malleable and may 
readily be drawn into wire. It is almost pure white in 
luster, being a blend between the yellowish tint of nickel 
and the bluish tint of cobalt. It has an exceptionally low 
heat conductivity and does not absorb gas and is there- 
fore particularly suitable as a supporting or current lead 
wire for electric incandescent lamps. The melting point 

152 



of the alloy is above 1500° C. and when used as a current 
lead wire in an electric lamp the wire may become red 
hot without the envelope of the lamp being discolored. By 
the use of current lead wires consisting of the new alloy 
the efficiency of low voltage miniature lamps is very much 
improved because the heat loss by conduction from the fila- 
ment is reduced. 

10Jf,75-$, General Electric Company, May 9, 1911 

A conductor adapted to be sealed into glass consists of 
a thin metal sleeve, a metal core, both serving to convey 
current, and a thin intermediate layer of refractory ma- 
terial, such as carbon, clay, plaster of paris, powdered 
cast iron, steel, cr other metal not capable of cementing 
the sleeve and core, on an oxide such as silica, manganese 
dioxide, etc. The sleeve adheres to the surrounding glass 
and not to the core, during expansion and contraction. The 
sleeve and core may have different melting points, and 
are preferably of metals easily soldered or welded, a brass 
tube may, for instance, be used with a copper core, or a 
copper tube with a brass core thinly coppered. Platinum, 
nickel- iron, or other metal having the same coefficient as 
glass may be used for the sleeve. When the conductor is 
sealed into glass, leakage through the refractory layer may 
be prevented by fusing the end of the conductor or by 
soldering it. Or, a piece of the composite metal may be 
welded to solid wires, the weld being preferably within the 
seal. 



15;'. 



PREFACE TO CLASS 3 

In this class are some of the various alloys considered 
suitable for electric resistance purposes and for ignition 
points for spark plugs and magnetos. These particular 
objects are not. stated in some of these patents, but it will 
be apparent that any metal or alloy which meets the 
requisite tests of non- volatility, non-oxidation, infusibility 
and non-corrosion will be suitable for electrical resistances 
or for use as ignition points. 

This class shows a large number of patents most of which 
use chromium alloys. Nearly all of these patents were 
issued after 1900. 

The majority of the alloys of this class contain nickel, 
chromium, tungsten, and the like. However, a series of 
patents all granted before 1900, show the use of nickel 
and chromium for non-oxidizing alloys so that this basic 
idea is open free to public use. In particular, U. S. Patent 
No. 573.615 shows the advantages of chromium for making 
a non-oxdizing alloy. Attention is called to German Pat- 
ent No. 281,784 on page 271, which would seem to indi- 
cate that the alloys of Class I would be suitable for the 
purposes of this class, if some platinum is added. 



154 



U. S. PATENTS 

Class 3-A 

811,859, Marsh, Feb. 6, 1906 

My object is to provide as an improved electric resist- 
ance material, a metal which has the property of being par- 
ticularly low in electric conductivity, has a melting point 
exceeding that of pure copper and may be drawn or other- 
wise shaped to form particularly durable, efficient and 
desirable strips, strands, or filaments suitable for use in 
the various connections where electric resistances are de- 
sirable. 

I have discovered that the metals of what is termed the 
chromium group, particularly when mixed with nickel, 
form an alloy having the properties of being very low in 
electric conductivity, very infusible, non-oxidizable to a 
very high degree, tough and sufficiently ductile to permit 
drawing or shaping it into wire or strip form to render it 
convenient for use as an electric resistance element. The 
chromium group herein referred to, as defined, for exam- 
ple, in Watt's Dictionary of Chemistry, consists of the 
metallic elements of group No. VI (indicated by the even 
number series) according to what is generally designated 
as Mendeleeff's table. These metals are chromium, tung- 
sten, molybdenum, and uranium. Any one of these metals is 
suitable for my purpose, though for various reasons I pre- 
fer to employ chromium. Uranium at the present time is 
so rare and expensive as to render its general use for my 
purpose commercially prohibitive and as the above metals 
possess characteristics in common which adapt them to my 
purpose, any one of them may be employed, though when 

155 



alloyed with nickel or cobalt, for example, the proportions 
may vary to produce the best electric resistance, taking 
into consideration necessary toughness and degree of duc- 
tility desirable for the particular purpose in hand. I have 
found, for example, that an alloy consisting of 90 per cent. 
of nickel and 1 per cent, commercially of pure chromium 
may be drawn into a fine wire and annealed, producing a 
tough metal having a melting point exceeding that of pure 
copper and with an electric resistance approximating fifty 
times that of pure copper. Its temperature coefficient is 
particularly low, it does not become crystalline and brittle 
under heating and cooling, but resists oxidation to^ a re- 
markable degree under very high temperature, and like- 
wise keeps a polish under all atmospheric conditions even 
where corrosion fumes are present. 

Any metal of the chromium group possesses desirable 
qualities for electric resistance material whether employed 
alone or alloyed Avith nickel or cobalt. At the present time 
I am of opinion that the most practical and desirable elec- 
tric resistance material may be formed of an alloy of nickel 
and chromium in suitable proportion drawn into strips, 
strands, or filaments and annealed. In its broadest sense, 
however, my invention is not to be limited to an alloy of 
the last named metals. In practice I prefer mainly for 
commercial reasons to form an alloy of preferably less 
than 25 per cent, chromium and more than 75 per cent, of 
nickel. Variations in the relative proportions of the 
metals produce more or less variations in strength, durabil- 
ity, and resistivity of the alloy. It may be stated, for ex- 
ample, that a metal alloy consisting of 15 per cent, of 
chromium and 85 per cent, of nickel drawn into wire 0.016 
of an inch in diameter has a resistance approximating 2.3 
ohms per foot. 

As stated before, either nickel or cobalt is suitable for 
my purpose when alloyed with a metal of the chromium 
group in a proportion of more than 50 per cent, of nickel 
or cobalt, or both, and less than 50 per cent, of chromium 
or the like. Nickel and cobalt readily alloy with metals 

150 



of the chromium group and resist oxidation to a high 
degree. Iron, on the other hand, is readily oxidizable, and 
will not answer my purpose when alloyed with a metal of 
the chromium group. 

I claim : 

1. An electric resistance element composed of a metal 
alloy consisting of one of the metals of the chromium 
group, in which the proportion of less than 50 per cent, of 
the elements, and more than 50 per cent, of metal having 
the properties of nickel and cobalt. 

2. An electric resistance element comprising a strip or 
strand or filament formed of an alloy of nickel and one of 
the metals of the chromium group. 

824,108, Driver, June 26, 1906 

My invention consists of a new and useful improvement 
in alloys or compounds of copper, nickel, and manganese 
which are designed primarily for use as electrical resistance 
to take the place of materials heretofore used for that pur- 
pose, especially German silver which has for many years 
been regarded as the standard material for the purpose, 
but which possesses many disadvantages that are eliminat- 
ed by using the alloy of my invention. 

The object is to produce an alloy that shall not only 
have a high and practically constant resistance, but one 
that is permanent and stable in its physical and electrical 
properties. 

The particular disadvantage of German silver is that 
after repeated heatings and coolings in service it crystal- 
lizes and breaks. This is due to the presence of zinc and is 
not an infrequent occurrence in any alloy of which zinc- 
forms a considerable part, and for this reason I have 
omitted zinc in my new alloy. "Eighteen per cent. German 
silver," the grade most frequently used, is composed 18 
to 20 parts nickel, 10 to 25 parts zinc, and 55 to 72 parts 
copper. In my improved alloy I have about the same pro- 

157 



portion of copper and of nickel, but have replaced the zinc 
with about 5 parts of manganese. This makes an alloy 
consisting of about 75 parts copper, 20 parts nickel, and 
5 parts manganese. Nickel and manganese each have the 
effect of increasing the resistance of the alloy, the man- 
ganese, however, to a much greater extent than the nickel ; 
but manganese has a tendency to make the alloy unstable, 
and therefore a considerable amount of nickel — 10 per cent, 
or more — is used for the purpose of "fixing" the electrical 
qualities of the resultant alloy. 

Alloys have been heretofore suggested consisting of cop- 
per and nickel with manganese ; but the manganese enter- 
ing into the composition was usually in the form of ferro- 
manganese, and the result was the production of an alloy 
which would rust and rapidly deteriorate upon exposure 
even to the atmosphere. By the use of pure manganese 
iron does not enter into my composition, and therefore the 
possibility and probability of deterioration from rust is 
eliminated. Moreover, such copper-nickel-manganese al- 
loys as have been attempted were found to be brittle or 
otherwise unworkable in addition to their want of stability 
and liability to rust. This brittleness is possibly due to 
the proportions used. 

In the manufacture of my alloy I employ the ordinary 
method of making alloys — that is, take the three ingredi- 
ents in the proportions, by weight, indicated, and place 
them in a crucible and then apply heat to fuse the mixture, 
or they may be melted separately and then mixed — any 
ordinary method of making alloys. In this manufacture 
great care must be taken lest an appreciable amount of 
iron, silicon, carbon, or other foreign substances be pres- 
ent in the finished article; but if these substances are pres- 
ent in small quantities only they will have very little in- 
fluence on the value of the commercial alloy. 

The proportions named above can be varied considerably 
without materially changing the effectiveness of the alloy ; 
but for the reasons stated I prefer the ingredients to be 
of practically the percentage specified. 

158 



Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and 
desire to secure by Letters Patent, is the following: 

1. A new composition of matter containing copper and 
nickel with from 5 per cent, to 10 per cent, of manganese 
and being essentially free from iron or other foreign sub- 
stances. 

2. A new composition of matter consisting of an alloy 
containing copper and manganese with 20 per cent, of 
nickel. 

824,618, Birmingham, June 26, 1906 

The object of this invention is to provide an alloy which 
will be fusible only at a very high temperature and one 
which may be used as a substitute for platinum, especially 
as employed in connection with electrical appliances. 

The alloy is composed of the following ingredients in 
about the proportions specified — to wit, silver, 16% ounces; 
nickel, 4 1/5 pounds ; bismuth, % ounce,.and gold 53 penny- 
weights. These proportions, which are according to Troy 
measure, may be varied without materially altering the 
properties of the compound; but I have found those 
stated to be productive of best results. 

An alloy composed of the parts specified may be used 
wherever platinum is now ordinarily required — for in- 
stance, as the leading-in wires for incandescent lamps, con- 
tact-points for electric vibrators, and, in fact, in all 
classes of electrical appliances where high resistance is re- 
quired. The compound is also highly advantageous in con- 
nection with telephone transmitters, being highly ductive 
and far more durable than platinum. 

I claim as my invention : 

1. An alloy composed of silver, nickel, bismuth and 
gold. 

2. An alloy composed of silver 16% ounces ; nickel, 4 1/5 
pounds ; bismuth, % ounce, and gold, 53 pennyweights. 

159 



S-59,608, Marsh, July 9, 1901 

My object is to provide, as an improved electric resist- 
ance material, a metal which has the property of being 
particularly low in electric conductivity, has a. melting 
point exceeding that of pure copper, and may be drawn or 
otherwise shaped to form particularly durable, efficient, 
and desirable strips, strands, or filaments suitable for use 
in the various connections where electric resistances are 
desirable. 

I have discovered that when comparatively small pro- 
portions of certain metals having refractory oxides are 
added to nickel or cobalt, or to either of these metals 
alloyed with a metal of the chromium group, as denned in 
Letters Patent No. 811,859, granted to me February 6, 
1906, the durability under high temperatures of the alloy 
so produced is augmented. For example, an alloy of nickel 
and chromium containing about 10 per cent, chromium, 
when heated, in the atmosphere, to a white heat, becomes 
coated with a black oxide ; and that when about 4 per cent, 
of aluminium is added to this alloy, the scale so formed is 
thinner, tougher and more adherent and affords a better 
protection against further or destructive oxidation than 
is afforded by the black oxide of the first mentioned or 
simple alloy. A wire of the alloy containing aluminium 
has been heated to incandescence at a temperature so 
high as to actually melt the metal or core within the film 
or shell of oxides formed under lower temperature upon 
the wire, which effectively protected the core against fur- 
ther or destructive oxidation, by reason of its tough or co- 
herent properties, which maintain it intact. 

While such metals as aluminium, tin, silicon, and man- 
ganese increase the electrical resistance of nickel, or nickel 
alloyed with a metal of the chromium group, their prin- 
cipal advantage consists in the deoxidizing action they ex- 
ert on the metal or alloy to which they are added and the 
protecting property of the oxide film formed from the 
alloy; though nickel containing about 3 per cent, alu- 

100 



minium has a resistance of about 0.53 ohms per foot of 
wire of 0.40 mm. diameter, whereas the nickel from which 
the alloy was made has a resistance of only about 0.26 
ohms per foot of wire of like diameter, so that the addition 
of the 3 per cent, aluminium doubles the resistance. 

A very good alloy for a resistance element having the 
oxidizing property set forth, and one which may be rolled 
or drawn into wire, is composed of about 88 per cent, 
nickel, about 8 per cent, chromium and about 4 per cent, 
aluminium. This alloy drawn into wire 0.40 mm. in diam- 
eter has a resistance of about 2.2 ohms per foot, which is 
about fifty times that of pure copper. Moreover, the chro- 
mium increases the melting point of the metal. 

Though, so far as I am at present aware, aluminium is 
the most desirable metal for my purpose, as an addition to 
nickel or its alloys, my invention is intended to include any 
metal more electropositive than nickel and having a refrac- 
tory oxide with a melting point of 1200° C, or higher. 

I am aware that aluminium, manganese, silicon and 
other metals have hitherto been added to nickel and other 
metals to produce sound castings, but it was hitherto un- 
known that the resultant alloys would produce electric re- 
sistance elements having the surface oxidizing property 
with the protecting advantage hereinbefore explained. 

Either nickel, or cobalt which has similar properties, is 
suitable for my purpose when alloyed with aluminium in, 
substantially, the proportions specified, or with any metal 
herein referred to as the equivalent of aluminium, with or 
without the member of the chromium group as an element 
of the alloy. Where I mention in the appended claims a 
metal having the properties of nickel or cobalt, I wish to 
designate only the metals nickel and cobalt, which have 
properties that are the same for my purpose, but which 
cannot both be classed under any single term of which I 
am aware. 

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters 
Patent is: 

161 



1. An electric resistance element composed of an alloy 
consisting of metal having the properties of nickel and 
cobalt, and a relatively small proportion of another metal 
more electropositive than nickel and having a refractory 
oxide with a minimum melting point of about 1200° C. 

2. An electric resistance element composed of an alloy 
consisting of metal having the properties of nickel and 
cobalt, and a relatively small proportion of aluminium. 

See U. S. Patent 887,173 on page 
See U. S. Patent 901,428 on page 



903,861, Hughes, Nov. 17, 1908 

This invention relates to electric arc lamps of the hot 
wire type, that is wherein the feed is effected through the 
medium of a mechanism including as an element a thermo- 
expansive wire. 

The object of the invention is to provide an alloy for use 
in the making of the wire, which alloy will have a high 
coefficient of expansion, will have a sufficiently high tensile 
strength to suit the working conditions to which it is sub- 
jected, and the efficiency of which will not be impaired 
when subjected to high temperatures. 

The alloy of which the thermo-expansive wire is formed, 
consists of copper, 57y 2 per cent. ; nickel, 42 per cent,, and 
lead y 2 of 1 per cent, 

What is claimed is: 

1. An arc lamp including a thermo-expansive member 
comprising nickel, copper and lead. 

2. An arc lamp including a thermo-expansive member 
consisting of an alloy comprising the elements and pro- 
portions substantially as follows: 57 x /2 per cent, copper; 
42 per cent, nickel, and y 2 of 1 per cent. lead. 

162 



923,152, Dempster (Assigned to General Electric Co.), 

June 1, 1909 ■ 

My invention comprises what I may term an alloy of 
silicon and tellurium. This alloy may be used for a variety 
of purposes, but is especially adapted for use as a resist- 
ance material in connection with lightning arrester resist- 
ances, heating units, and so forth. Such an alloy of silicon 
and tellurium possesses a higher specific resistance than 
commercial silicon now in use as resistance material. 

The tellurium can be alloyed with the silicon in a variety 
of proportions, according to the properties desired in the 
alloy. Alloys useful as resistance material, in general, 
may contain from 1 to 15 per cent, of tellurium. I prefer 
to add about 5 per cent, of tellurium in making the high- 
resistance alloy, as this amount of tellurium increases 
the resistance of the silicon from three to five times, with- 
out making it brittle or introducing any other undesirable 
physical changes in the cast material. 

I prefer to> place with the tellurium in the bottom of 
the crucible a layer of a powdered carbonate which is de- 
composable at the melting temperature of silicon, about 
1430° C. as, for example, calcium carbonate, CaC0 3 . "When 
the mass is heated the calcium carbonate is decomposed 
with the formation of calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. 
The carbon dioxide, when rising from the melting silicon, 
appears to act as a decarburizer, reacting with the carbon 
usually associated with the silicon to form carbon monox- 
ide. The calcium oxide, because of its low specific grav- 
ity, rises to the surface, where it comes into contact with 
the silica, which has been formed on the surface of the 
melted silicon by oxidation, and combines with it either 
entirely or in part, with the formation of a slag of cal- 
cium silicate which floats upon the melted alloy and pro- 
tects both the silicon and tellurium from oxidation. This 
method of alloying produces a superior pi*oduct, free from 
carbon and oxides. 



rca 



If desired, the silicon and tellurium can be alloyed by 
melting them together in an ordinary crucible; the tellu- 
rium being placed in the bottom of the crucible and cov- 
ered with broken pieces of silicon. A simple melting is 
sufficient to dissolve and distribute the tellurium in the 
melted silicon, which is then cast into the desired form. 

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 
Patent of the United States, is: 

1. An alloy containing silicon and tellurium. 

2. An alloy consisting of silicon alloyed with 1 to 15 
per cent, of tellurium. 

926,980, Dempster (Assigned to General Electric Co.), 

July 6, 1909 

This invention relates to alloys of various metals and 
has for its object the production of alloys by a process 
which is simple and at the same time lends itself to the 
formation of an alloy in which the composition is accu- 
rately and definitely known. 

In my previous patent No. 901,428, I have described and 
claimed a resistance conductor which has valuable prop- 
erties adapting it to a variety of uses. This alloy is heat- 
refractory to an extraordinary degree. It does not easily 
oxidize when subjected to a prolonged red heat in the 
atmosphere. It is acid-proof and has high electrical re- 
sistivity adapting it for electric heating and rheostat work. 
The slight oxidation which the wire undergoes from pro- 
longed red heat goes on slowly and the oxide is coherent 
and does not materially change its conductivity. The com- 
position which I have found very successful contains ap- 
proximately : 

62 parts nickel (by weight) 
20 parts iron " 

13 parts chromium " 

5 parts manganese " 

164 



In the melting of this alloy it was found that carbon 
must be excluded from the mixture since otherwise the 
alloy became hard and brittle. It was found, moreover, 
that nickel is high in carbon and that it is therefore neces- 
sary to purify the nickel in making up the alloy. Graphite 
crucibles cannot be used because of the fact that the metals 
of the alloy will take up carbon. Clay-lined crucibles 
serve the purpose excepting for the fact that the manganese 
attacks the clay and exposes the graphite. The following- 
process has been found to operate satisfactorily. In the 
bottom of a clay-lined graphite crucible is placed an oxide 
to serve as a decarbonizer. This oxide may be hematite 
(Fe 2 O a ). It is found that about 8 pounds of this oxide is 
necessary for 100 pounds of alloy. Nickel is then charged 
into the crucible with a small quantity of silica and cryo- 
lite as flux, and when the nickel is melted the heat is run 
up to promote a vigorous reaction between the oxide and 
the carbon. This reaction is shown by the gas bubbles 
igniting above the slag and burning with a blue flame. 
When the metal quiets down, the carbon being eliminated, 
the iron is added and after this is melted the chromium is 
added. While the mixture is in a molten condition, care 
being taken not to excessively heat the metal and burn 
the lining, the manganese is added in suitable quantities. 
The mixture is then quickly poured before the manganese 
attacks the clay lining. 

By this process I am able to practically eliminate the 
carbon from the mixture and obtain an accurately propor- 
tioned alloy in a simple manner. 

While I have described my invention in connection with 
specific metals mixed in certain portions as well as steps 
of the process taken in a certain way, it should be under- 
stood that I do not limit my invention thereto except in so 
far as it is limited by the scope of the claims annexed 
hereto. 



ion 



What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 
Patent of the United States, is: 

1. The process of producing alloys which consists in 
melting a quantity of nickel with a decarbonizing agent in 
a clay-lined crucible to reduce the carbon, adding iron 
and chromium in suitable proportions, then adding man- 
ganese and pouring the mixture before the manganese at- 
tacks the clay lining. 

937,284, Craft and Harris (Assigned to Western Electric 
Company), Oct. 19, 1909 

Our invention relates to an alloy for use in connection 
with electrical apparatus, and more particularly to an alloy 
which may be employed as a substitute for platinum in 
electrical contacts. 

The object of our invention is to provide an alloy which 
is cheaper than platinum, and which nevertheless possesses 
the properties which render that metal valuable for use 
in connection with electrical appliances. 

Our invention consists of an alloy of gold, silver and 
some metal, such as platinum, capable of imparting hard- 
ness to the alloy. 

The silver is introduced in quantities sufficient to 
materially lessen the cost, without destroying the non- 
tarnishing property of pure gold, which latter metal con- 
stitutes the larger portion of the alloy. This mixture of 
gold and silver is so alloyed with sufficient quantities of 
the hardening metal, preferably platinum, to produce the 
degree of hardness required in material for electrical con- 
tacts. The alloy is composed of the above named constitu- 
ents in about the following proportions: gold, 67% to 70 
per cent. ; silver, 25 per cent. ; platinum, 5 to 7% per cent. 

The working requirements for contacts of electrical ap- 
paratus make it essential to restrict the component metals 
of the alloy of our invention rather closely to the propor- 
tions given above. 

1G6 



In order to make the alloy as cheap as possible, with- 
out detracting from the proper working qualities, we do 
not use any more gold than is necessary to overcome the 
tarnishing tendency of silver. We have found that we can 
safely use, as a maximum, 30 per cent, of silver, and still 
produce an alloy which will not corrode in service, and 
that we can use, as a minimum, 25 per cent, of silver with- 
out unduly increasing the cost of the alloy. As to the pro- 
portion of platinum, we have found that the physical prop- 
erties of the alloy begin to be injured seriously if platinum 
is present to a much greater extent than 7% per cent., 
while not sufficient hardness and a low melting point is 
obtained if much less than 5 per cent, of platinum is em- 
ployed. Moreover, if a greater amount of platinum than 
about 7y 2 per cent, is present, the cost is unnecessarily 
increased, and the alloy becomes less homogeneous. 

The process of manufacturing this alloy does not differ 
materially from the standard practice in the manufacture 
of alloys of precious metals. The proper proportions of 
the three constituents are weighed out and placed in a 
crucible, and there subjected to a heat sufficient to melt 
the material. Considerable care, however, must be exer- 
cised in order to insure the uniform alloying and mixing 
of the constituents, and it is preferable to remelt the alloy 
one or more times after the first melting in order to insure 
the perfect mixing of the constituent metals. This, how- 
ever, is standard practice, and further description thereof 
is unnecessary. The alloy of gold, silver and platinum in 
the proportions above mentioned has been found to possess 
practically all the characteristics peculiar to platinum, and 
furthermore, the advantage of being considerably cheaper 
than platinum, and somewhat harder than that metal. 

We claim : 

1. An alloy composed of 67% to 70 per cent, gold; 25 
per cent, silver and from 5 to 7% per cent, of a hardening 
metal. 

167 



2. An alloy composed of gold, silver and platinum, in 
approximately the following proportions: Gold, 67% to 
70 per cent. ; silver, 25 per cent. ; platinum, 5 to> 7% per 
cent. 

931^85, Craft and Harris {Assigned to Western Electric 
Company), Oct. 19, 1909 

Our invention relates to an alloy for use in connection 
with electrical apparatus, and more particularly to an 
alloy which may be employed as a substitute for platinum 
in electrical contacts. 

The object of our invention is to provide an alloy which 
is cheaper than platinum, and which nevertheless possesses 
the properties which render that metal valuable for use in 
connection with electrical appliances. 

Our invention consists of an alloy of gold, silver and 
nickel. The silver is introduced in quantities sufficient to 
materially lessen the cost, without destroying the non- 
tarnishing property of pure gold, which latter -metal con- 
stitutes the larger portion of the alloy. This mixture of 
gold and silver is so alloyed with sufficient quantities of 
nickel to produce the degree of hardness required in 
material for electrical contacts. 

The alloy is composed of the above named constituents 
in about the following proportions : Gold, 67% per cent, to 
70 per cent. ; silver, 25 per cent. ; nickel, 5 per cent, to 7% 
per cent. 

The working requirements for contacts of electrical ap- 
paratus make it essential to restrict the component metals 
of the alloy of our invention rather closely to the propor- 
tions given above. 

In order to make the alloy as cheap as possible, with- 
out detracting from the proper working qualities, we do 
not use any more gold than is necessary to overcome the 
tarnishing tendency of silver. We have found that we can 
safely use, as a maximum, 30 per cent, of silver, and still 
produce an alloy which will not corrode in service, and 

168 



that we can use, as a minimum, 25 per cent, of silver 
without unduly increasing the cost of the alloy. 

As to the proportion of nickel, we have found that the 
physical properties of the alloy begin to be injured seri- 
ously if nickel is present to a much greater extent than 7y 2 
per cent., while not sufficient hardness and a low melting- 
point is obtained if much less than 5 per cent, of nickel is 
employed. Moreover, if a greater amount of nickel than 
about 7Vo per cent, is present, there is a slight increase in 
the tendency of the alloy to corrode. 

The process of manufacturing this alloy does not differ- 
materially from the standard practice in the manufacture 
of alloys of precious metals. The proper proportions of 
the three constituents are weighed out and placed in a 
crucible, and there subjected to a heat sufficient to melt the 
material. If an electric furnace is employed, it is pref- 
erable to melt the nickel in a graphite crucible which has 
been flashed with magnesia or lime in order to> prevent 
the carbon of the crucible from uniting with the nickel. 
After the nickel is melted the gold and silver are added and 
the heat thereupon lowered to the melting point of the 
alloy, namely, to approximately 1300° C. ; or any other 
suitable method of alloying the metals may be employed. 
It is preferable to remelt the alloy one or more times 
after the first melting in order to insure the perfect mixing 
of the constituent metals. This, however, is standard prac- 
tice, and futher description thereof is unnecessary. The 
alloy of gold, silver and nickel in the proportions above 
mentioned has been found to possess practically all the 
characteristics peculiar to platinum, and furthermore, the 
advantage of being considerably cheaper than platinum, 
and somewhat harder than that metal. 

We claim : 

An alloy composed of gold, silver and nickel, in approxi- 
mately the following proportions : Gold, 67% to 70 per 
cent. ; silver, 25 per cent. ; nickel, 5 to 7y 2 per cent. 

109 



948,066, Driver, Dec. U h 1909 

This invention relates to alloys intended for electrical 
conductors. 

The object of the invention is to provide a conductor 
having a very high melting-point as well as a very high 
electrical resistance, and that shall also be to a large ex- 
tent non-corroding. It is quite desirable in a resistance- 
alloy for some lines of work to have a very high melting- 
point, as the material is often subjected to excessive tem- 
peratures- 

I have discovered that alloys of nickel and manganese, 
especially where the nickel predominates, present the three 
qualities mentioned. Pure manganese is brittle and easily 
broken. An alloy consisting of nickel and manganese, in 
which the nickel predominates, is ductile and malleable, 
and is suitable for making into sheets or wires. Pure 
nickel has a comparatively low resistance, only about 12 
microhms per cubic centimeter. A mixture of 95 per cent, 
of nickel with 5 per cent, of manganese gives a resistance 
of about 25 microhms per cubic centimeter, or twice that 
of pure nickel. Eighty per cent, nickel with 20 per cent, 
manganese gives a resistance of about 70 microhms; while 
70 per cent, nickel and 30 per cent, manganese has a re- 
sistance of about 100 microhms. The melting-point of 
these alloys is estimated to be in the neighborhood of 
2500° F. These alloys all have the advantage of not cor- 
roding readily on exposure to the air. They have the fur- 
ther advantage of electric stability, differing in this respect 
from alloys of copper and manganese alone; copper-man- 
ganese alloys seem to require one or more additional in- 
gredients, whereas these nickel-manganese alloys (where 
there is a high percentage of nickel) seem to require no 
third ingredient to "fix" their electrical properties. 

'The percentages given are merely for the sake of illus- 
tration, since I do not confine myself to any particular per- 
centage, except that for mechanical reasons it is generally 
preferable that the nickel should be 50 per cent, or more 
of the mixture, in fact about 70 per cent., since where there 

170 



is more than 30 per cent, of manganese, there is strong- 
tendency to brittleness, which is objectionable if the alloy 
has to be worked into wire or sheet form. Moreover, while 
I have spoken of a composition consisting of manganese 
and nickel, of course the presence of any other ingredient 
or ingredients would not be a departure from the spirit 
of my invention so long as such addition does not to a 
material extent interfere with or lessen the three desired 
qualities. 

While as just said it is generally preferable that the 
nickel should preponderate over the manganese, yet an 
alloy in which the manganese preponderates will also give 
high resistance and high melting-point, and will be prac- 
tically non-corrosive, but there should generally be not 
less than 50 per cent, of nickel and not less than 5 per 
cent, of manganese. 

Having thus described my invention, I claim ; 

1. An alloy containing manganese* with 60 per cent. 
or more of nickel. 

2. An electrical resistance element composed essentially 
of nickel and manganese. 

953^12, Dempster ( Assigned to General Electric Co. ) , 
March 29, 1910 

To make a high resistance metal a very large percentage 
of iron is used in combination with tellurium, silicon, and 
manganese. The tellurium and silicon are first formed 
into an alloy, as shown in U. S. Patent 923,152. Molten 
iron which has been decarbonized and purified, is poured 
into a ladle containing pieces of this alloy, or the alloy 
can be added to a bath of molten iron. This is cast into 
ingots and may be made in sheets or wire. A suitable alloy 
is made of 91.6 per cent, iron; 2 per cent, tellurium; 6 
per cent, silicon; 0.5 per cent, manganese. 

I claim : 

1. An alloy containing iron, tellurium and silicon. 

171 



961,211, Driver, June 14, 1910 

This invention relates to alloys intended primarily for 
electrical resistances, and is based upon the discovery that 
a substantial amount of aluminium added to alloys pro- 
duces a marked effort upon their electrical resistances, es- 
pecially in alloys composed mainly of .copper or of iron. 

Quantities of aluminium varying from about 1 to 9 per 
cent, can be added to alloys of copper and nickel, of cop- 
per and manganese, and of copper and nickel and man- 
ganese and (within limits explained below) to alloys of 
iron and nickel with marked benefit. Alloys of copper 
and nickel have their maximum resistance with 42 per 
cent, of nickel. An addition of 2 to 8 per cent, of alu- 
minium to copper- nickel alloys increases their resistance, 
but where the percentage of nickel is high, the amount of 
aluminium must be Ioav, to avoid brittleness. 

In alloys of copper and aluminium, the amount of alu 
minium should be about 5 per cent. 

An alloy containing 30 per cent, of nickel, 65 per cent 
of iron, and 5 per cent, of aluminium gives good results. 

I claim : 

1. An electrical resistance element, consisting of an 
alloy containing a substantial amount of aluminium with 
at least two other ingredients. 

981,542, Driver, Jan, 10, 1911 

My invention is a new alloy or a series of alloys, intend- 
ed primarily for use as resistance-material in electrical 
work. 

The object of the invention is to produce alloys having 
high, and even abnormally high, specific resistances; alloys 
which are also reliable and permanent in their physical 
properties (i. e., ductile and not liable to deteriorate from 
rust upon exposure to atmosphere), and which are like- 
wise reliable in their electric behavior. Although ductility 
is an exceedingly desirable property, yet where the alloy 
is to be employed in cases where it is not necessary to 

172 



work it, or in other forms 1 than drawn wire, some ductility 
may be sacrificed in obtaining increased specific resistance. 

The specific resistance of ordinary copper is about 1 2/3 
michroms per cubic centimeter. Taking this resistance of 
copper as the unit, the resistance of the alloy "mangamin" 
as compared with that of copper is about 24 ( or about 40 
michroms per cubic centimeter) ; of 18 per cent. German sil- 
ver about 18 ; of 30 per cent. German silver about 28 ; of "ad- 
vance" or "constantan" about 28. And these are the highest 
figures of any satisfactory material now known which will 
not rust. There is a demand for alloys having much higher 
specific resistances — resistances of about 80 or more 
michroms per cubic centimeter or fifty or more times that 
of copper. This amount of resistance is what I mean by 
"abnormally high" specific resistances. While it is true 
that a class of alloys has been produced with a very high 
specific resistance (about 83 microhms per cubic centi- 
meter), yet it has proved unsatisfactory on account of 
certain inherent defects. The alloys of this class contain 
iron and nickel; but such alloys inevitably deteriorate 
more or less rapidly from rust, on account of the large 
quantity of iron. 

It is well known that the addition of manganese to cop- 
per tends to raise the specific resistance; but if we in- 
crease the amount of manganese sufficiently to attain an 
abnormally high or even a comparatively high, specific re- 
sistance, the alloy becomes unreliable and unstable in its 
electric behavior. So that past experience has served to 
shut the door to manganese as a means for producing a 
commercially satisfactory alloy of very high resistance. 
Nickel is also known to increase the resistance of the alloys 
into which it enters, but to a degree inferior to manganese. 
So that the addition of nickel will not produce the ab- 
normally high specific resistance. Nickel and manganese 
have been used conjointly with copper. But the nickel 
has been taken only in very small percentages. 

I have discovered that nickel has the property, when 
entering into an alloy of copper and manganese, of "fix- 

173 



ing" the electrical behavior of the alloy; when the per- 
centage of manganese is increased, it is generally desir- 
able to increase the amount of nickel; this increase, how- 
ever, is not essential. An increase of nickel tends to 
harden the resultant alloy, which is sometimes an objec- 
tion. When to copper is added a large percentage (10 
per cent, or over) of manganese and also a large per- 
centage (10 per cent, or over) of nickel, there is obtained a 
homogeneous alloy that is ductile and workable, one that 
does not rust, and above all that has a very high specific 
resistance and is reliable and constant in its electrical 
behavior. By this departure from the teachings of past 
experience, I obtain to a higher degree than heretofore 
deemed possible all the benefit of manganese, but without 
the disadvantage, heretofore supposed to be inseparable 
from the presence of a high percentage of manganese. 

The following formulas give the proportions of the three 
ingredients and the specific resistance of each composition, 
stated in michroms per cubic centimeter: 

Specific 
Resistance 
65 
68 
53 
61 
68 
75 
88 
98 
85 
93 
95 
113 
123 
124 
150 



174 



pper 


Manganese 


Nickel 


60 


10 


30 


45 


10 


45 


75 


15 


10 


65 


15 


20 


70 


20 


10 


60 


20 


20 


50 


20 


30 


40 


20 


40 


65 


25 


10 


60 


25 


15 


55 


25 


20 


55 


30 


15 


50 


30 


20 


50 


35 


15 


40 


40 


20 



The proportions above indicated may, of course, be 
varied considerably without losing the effectiveness of the 
alloys or departing from the spirit of my invention, the 
result of such variations being to raise or lower the specific 
resistance, which in any case will be high. The spirit of 
my invention consists in using both manganese and nickel 
in proportions much larger than heretofore employed. My 
experiments, as illustrated by the formulas given, indicate 
that there must be 10 per cent or over of nickel, conjointly 
with 10 per cent, or over of manganese. 

Having thus described my invention, I claim r 

1. A ductile and stable electrical conductor of non- 
rusting material, having an abnormally high specific resist- 
ance, substantially as described. 

2. An electrical resistance-element containing copper, 
with manganese and nickel, the two latter being present 
in large amounts, namely, at least 10 per cent, of each sub- 
stantiallv as described. 



993,01,2, Driver, May 23, 1911 

This invention relates to alloys intended especially for 
electrical resistances. 

The object of the invention is to produce workable alloys 
which will have high electrical resistances, with high melt- 
ing-points, and that will not deteriorate to any noticeable 
extent upon exposure to the atmosphere. 

Various alloys have been known and used for electrical 
resistance, having more or less high electrical resistance, 
but as a rule the melting-points of these alloys are com- 
paratively low, and many of them are not stable in their 
electrical properties and besides are liable to deteriorate 
from rust, etc. 

Mckel is malleable, has a high melting-point, is practi- 
cally non-corrosive, and is reasonably cheap. The alloys 
composed of nickel and manganese alone (disregarding 

175 



any other substances that may be p resent as impurities) 
have quite a high electrical resistance, but one purpose of 
this invention is to increase the resistance of such alloys 
still further. In general also, by increasing the percentage 
of manganese in the alloy, the electrical resistance is in- 
creased ; but there is a limit to the percentage of man- 
ganese that may be employed, because too much manga- 
nese will render the alloy unworkable. On the other hand, 
any increase of the percentage of nickel is the same as de- 
creasing the percentage of manganese, and the resistance 
is thereby reduced. 

Although copper, for instance, has a far lower specific 
electrical resistance than nickel and manganese, yet if a 
small proportion of copper (or, so far as I am aware, any 
other similar metal or combination of metals) — 1 per cent, 
or more— be added to the nickel and manganese, the result- 
ing alloy has a higher electrical resistance than the alloy 
composed of nickel and manganese alone. For example, 
an alloy of 90 parts nickel and 10 parts manganese gives 
a specific resistance of about 36 ; if 10 parts of the nickel 
be displaced by 10 parts of copper, making an alloy of 80 
parts nickel, 10 parts copper, and 10 parts manganese, a 
specific resistance of about 53 is obtained ; where 20 parts 
of nickel are displaced by the same amount of copper, the 
resulting composition consisting of 70 parts nickel, 20 
parts copper, and 10 parts manganese, has a specific re- 
sistance of about 60. Again, whereas a composition com- 
posed of 80 parts nickel and 20 parts manganese gives a 
specific resistance of about 65, I have found that the sub- 
stitution of 10 parts of nickel by the same amount of 
copper, producing the alloy 70 parts nickel, 10 parts cop- 
per, and 20 parts manganese, gives a resistance of about 
80; and an alloy consisting of 60 parts nickel, 20 parts 
copper, and 20 parts manganese, gives a resistance of 
about 90. 

I am aware that alloys composed mainly of copper, 
with more or less manganese and a small amount of 
nickel, have been known and used. But these alloys are, 

176 



from a physical standpoint, essentially copper alloys, that 
is, copper is the principal ingredient. On the other hand, 
my alloys are composed essentially of nickel (and manga- 
nese) in which the nickel largely predominates, to which 
is added a comparatively small amount of copper (or its 
equivalent) ; my alloys are not in this sense "copper 
alloys." My present alloys differ further from these cop- 
per alloys in having a high melting-point and in producing 
conductors that are stable in their electrical properties. 

The proportions above given are for the sake of illus- 
tration only, since the spirit of my invention consists, in 
the first place, in employing a large part, say 50 per cent, 
or over of nickel ; in the second place, in employing at least 
two other ingredients in addition to this excess of nickel ; 
in the third place, specifically, in having a substantial 
amount of manganese as one of the other two or more in- 
gredients; and, finally, more specific still, in having a 
small but appreciable amount of copper ( or an equivalent ) 
as a third ingredient in addition to the manganese with 
the excess of nickel (and any other ingredients that may be 
present, if any). 

Having thus described my invention, I claim : 

1. An alloy of nickel, manganese and copper, the con- 
tent of nickel being not less than 50 per cent, by weight of 
the whole, said alloy being characterized by having a spe- 
cific resistance greater than an alloy of the first-named in- 
gredients. 

2. An alloy consisting of nickel not less than 50 per 
cent., manganese from 10 to 30 per cent., and the remainder 
of copper, said alloy having the characteristics specified. 

3. An alloy containing copper and manganese with 50 
per cent, or over of nickel. 



177 



1,012-391, Marsh (Assigned to Hoskins Manufacturing 
Co.), Dec. 19,1911 

n 

The object of my invention is to provide holders, such as 
triangles, crucible-tongs tips, wire-gauze, and the like, em- 
ployed in metallurgical laboratory work for supporting 
and handling the work, which shall endurably withstand 
the destructive tendency of the high temperature to which 
they are subjected in use to destroy them and be particu- 
larly suitable for quantitative analytical work. When such 
holders are made of any base metal, the heat to which they 
are subjected in use rapidly destroys them by oxidation, 
and the metal, in being brought into contact with the heat- 
ed platinum or porcelain of which the crucibles and other 
ware are made, discolors the surfaces, adding to the 
weight of the ware and thus rendering such holders unfit 
for quantitative analytical work. To avoid, more particu- 
larly, the last-named objection, such holders are sometimes 
made of platinum because it remains unaffected by the 
heat, but its cost renders it practically prohibitive for the 
purpose ; and to enable a base metal to be used for avoid- 
ing that objection, sheathing the holder with fire-clay, 
fused silica, or the like, has been resorted to, but the metal 
soon "burns out," so that the holder is lacking in desir- 
able durability. 

My invention provides a holder, in the class referred to, 
which is devoid of these objections, and it consists in form- 
ing such holders of an alloy containing nickel or cobalt 
with chromium, and preferably also aluminium. I find 
that a holder composed of such an alloy effectually resists 
destruction by heat, and remains otherwise unaffected in- 
juriously thereby during prolonged use, because of the 
very high melting point of the nickel or cobalt and the 
property of the chromium of reducing to the minimum the 
tendency of the nickel or cobalt to oxidize. The value, for 
my purpose, of aluminium as a part of the alloy is its effect 
under the influence of intense heat to produce an oxide 
which, combining with the oxides produced by the same in-. 

178 



fluence from the other metals in the alloy, forms a continu- 
ous, very thin, dense and adherent non-sealing sheath or 
surface-coating, which protects the holder by insulating 
the body or interior of the structure against further oxi- 
dizing influence thereon. Moreover, the holder does not 
discolor. The alloy is best suited for my improved article 
of holder, as imparting to it in the highest degree the de- 
sirable property herein described, when composed of about 
80 per cent, nickel or cobalt, about 18 per cent, chromium 
and about 2 per cent, aluminium. 

1. A holder having the properties set forth, for re- 
ceptacles employed in metallurgical laboratory work of 
the character described, formed of an alloy of chromium 
with a metal having the properties of nickel and cobalt. 

2. A holder having the properties set forth, for recep- 
tacles employed in metallurgical laboratory work of the 
character described, formed of an alloy of nickel, chro- 
mium and aluminium. 

See U. S. Patent 1,043,576 on page 303. 



lfi51J&8. Haynes, April 1, 1918 

This invention relates to a metal alloy more particularly 
designed for use in the manufacture of articles, such as 
tools or cutting implements, wherein are required the 
qualities of hardness, toughness and elasticity, together 
with the capacity of taking a high polish and receiving and 
retaining a sharp cutting edge. 

In my prior Patent No. 873,745, issued December 17, 
1907, I have described a binary alloy, consisting of cobalt 
and chromium, or other metal of the chromium group al- 
lied with chromium, or having properties like those of chro- 
mium ; such metals of the chromium group embracing, in 
addition to chromium, tungsten, molybdenum and ura- 
nium. The binary alloy described in said patent possesses 
a high degree of hardness and toughness adapting it for use 

179 



in the manufacture of edged tools, cutlery and the like, 
has a high degree of resistance to oxidization and the cor- 
rosive action of the atmosphere and fumes occurring there- 
in, and is capable of being forged, hammered, or otherwise 
worked into various forms of instruments and articles. 

I have discovered that ternary and quaternary alloys, 
consisting of cobalt and two or more metals of the chro- 
mium group, possess particular value and qualities in many 
respects superior to those of the binary alloy set forth in 
said patent above mentioned. I have discovered, more- 
over, that such ternary alloys possess very valuable prop- 
erties when composed of cobalt, chromium and tungsten, 
or cobalt, chromium and molybdenum, and that the 
quaternary alloys have also very valuable properties when 
composed of cobalt, chromium, tungsten and molybdenum. 

An alloy made in accordance with my invention is com- 
posed of cobalt, chromium and one of the other metals of 
the chromium group, combined in the proportions substan- 
tially as hereinafter specified. The metals included in the 
chromium group, to which reference has been made, em- 
brace, in addition to chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, 
and uranium. My experiments up to the present time have 
led me to prefer, of the metals of the chromium group, 
tungsten and molybdenum, as possessing the most desirable 
qualities as constituents of my alloy for the general pur- 
poses and uses intended, although it may be found that 
for different uses the other metal of the chromium group, 
to wit, uranium, may be employed to advantage, as one 
of the constituents of the alloy. 

An alloy of cobalt, chromium and tungsten, which I have 
found to possess the desired properties for many articles or 
uses, contains chromium in a percentage of 15 per cent, or 
less, and tungsten in a percentage of 15 per cent, or less. 
Such ternary alloys may be readily forged at a red heat. 
Moreover, by using a considerable amount of care an alloy 
containing 65 per cent, of cobalt, 15 per cent, of chromium 
and 20 per cent, of tungsten can be forged to a considerable 
degree. All such ternary alloys possess valuable properties 

ISO 



in addition to those of the binary, or cobalt and chromium 
alloys, for many purposes, on account of the tungsten con- 
stituent, which gives to the alloy increased hardness and 
toughness, as well as a superior capacity to receive a sharp 
cutting edge and to retain the same under the most severe 
usage. 

In a ternary alloy of cobalt, chromium and tungsten, if 
the chromium constituent equal 25 per cent, and the tung- 
sten be present in the proportion of 5 per cent., the alloy is 
particularly suitable for wood-cutting tools, table knives 
and other cutlery. Such an alloy forges readily, shows 
a fine fracture, is very strong and elastic, and takes a fine 
cutting edge. The corresponding alloy, containing mo- 
lybdenum in place of the tungsten, possesses similar prop- 
erties. Moreover, both of these alloys possess the desirable 
qualities of the cobalt-chromium alloy described in my 
prior Patent No. 873,745 in being capable of taking a high 
and durable luster, and of resisting the oxidizing and cor- 
x'osive action of moisture, acids, the atmosphere and corro- 
sive fumes commonly occurring in the atmosphere. 

If in a ternary alloy of cobalt, chromium and tungsten, 
the tungsten constituent be increased from 15 per cent, to 
say 50 per cent., the alloy becomes harder with increasing 
percentage of tungsten, and the same cannot be success- 
fully forged after the tungsten constituent exceeds 25 per 
cent. A ternary alloy, containing from 25 per cent, to 50 
per cent, of tungsten, 15 per cent, of chromium, the re- 
mainder being cobalt, makes excellent lathe tools, possess- 
ing to a high degree the qualities of hardness, toughness, 
and capacity of receiving and retaining a very sharp cut- 
ting edge. I have found that such lathe tools possess hard- 
ness, toughness and cutting qualities to a degree making 
them much superior to any steel lathe tools now produced. 
Moreover, such alloy is found to be capable of resisting to 
a large degree the corrosive action of moisture and the at- 
mosphere. When the tungsten constituent exceeds 25 per 
cent., the alloy becomes sufficiently hard to readily scratch 
glass, and will even mark or score rock crystal. With per- 

181 



centages of 25 to 50 of the tungsten constituent, the ter- 
nary alloy, while not capable of being forged, may be 
readily fused, and lathe tools or other articles may be 
readily made by casting the same in the desired form and 
finishing by a suitable grinding operation. When the 
tungsten constituent in the ternary alloy exceeds 50 per 
cent., the alloy becomes very difficult to fuse, or fuses 
under very high temperatures, such as are usually obtain- 
able only by the use of the electric arc, but the alloy con- 
taining such higher percentages of tungsten, while some- 
what brittle, makes excellent lathe tools. 

In the case of the ternary alloy, in which the molybde- 
num is used in place of tungsten, the same general condi- 
tions and characteristics, hereinbefore referred to in con- 
nection with the cobalt- chromium-tungsten alloys, are 
found to exist; excepting that the alloy reaches a condi- 
tion in which it cannot be successfully forged when the 
percentage of molybdenum is somewhat smaller than is 
the case if tungsten is used as the third constituent. When 
the molybdenum constituent in such alloy is made to ex- 
ceed 25 per cent., the alloy is very hard, and if the propor- 
tion of molybdenum does not exceed 30 per cent., the alloy 
is not only very hard, but likewise very tough and strong, 
and may be used with great advantage for lathe tools. 
When the percentage of molybdenum is as high as 40 per 
cent, or more, the alloy becomes exceedingly hard and quite 
brittle. It will cut persistently into glass, and a sharp cor- 
ner of the metal, when drawn back and forth over the sur- 
face of a quartz crystal, will rapidly cut a deep groove in 
that material. 

With respect to the ternary alloys of cobalt and chro- 
mium, with either tungsten or molybdenum as the third 
constituent, an increase in the percentage of the chromium 
constituent will give greater hardness and brittleness to 
these alloys even when they contain the tungsten or mo- 
lybdenum constituents in the lower percentages. I have 
found, however, that the alloys described possess consid- 
erable toughness when the chromium constituent is present 

182 



to the extent of as much as 40 per cent., aud if the tungsten 
or molybdenum constituent be low, that alloys useful for 
practical purposes may contain even a higher percentage 
of chromium. So far as my experiments have extended, 
moreover, I have found that advantageous results are ob- 
tained when the tungsten or molybdenum constituent is 
present in the alloy in the proportion, to the entire alloy, 
of from 5 per cent, to 80 per cent. In view of the fact, how- 
ever, that an increase of the percentage, either of the chro- 
mium constituent, or of the tungsten or molybdenum con- 
stituent, tends to render the alloy more brittle, a smaller 
proportionate quantity of chromium will desirably be 
used when the proportion of tungsten or molybdenum is 
relatively large and vice versa. This is indicated by the 
examples above given of ternary alloys suitable in one in- 
stance for cutlery and the like, and the other instance, 
for lathe tools; to wit, in the first instance, 25 
per cent, of chromium and 5 per cent, of tungsten (or 
molybdenum) with a corresponding percentage of the 
cobalt constituent, and in the second instance, 15 per cent, 
of chromium, and 25 per cent, of tungsten (or molybde- 
num) with a corresponding percentage of cobalt. 

By making a quaternary alloy consisting of cobalt, chro- 
mium, and two of the other metals of the chromium group, 
namely, both tungsten and molybdenum, I have discovered 
that valuable alloys are obtained, such as are particularly 
suitable for high-speed lathe tools. For example, I have 
produced an alloy containing 5 per cent, of molybdenum, 
25 per cent, of tungsten, 15 per cent, of chromium and 55 
per cent, of cobalt, which, after being cast into a bar and 
made into a lathe tool, affords a tool which will cut cast 
iron and steel, without overheating of or injury to the 
tool, from 50 to 100 per cent, faster than a tool made from 
the best special or "high speed" steel now produced for 
such purposes. In the case of such quaternary alloys, in 
correspondence with the ternary alloys, the chromium 
constituent may be present in the proportion of from 5 to 
80 per cent., or the tungsten and molybdenum constituents 

183 



together may be present in the same proportions of from 
5 to 80 per cent., with such relative proportions of the 
chromium constituent, on the one hand, and the total quan- 
tity of the tungsten and molybdenum constituents, on the 
other hand, as to prevent an undesirable degree of brittle- 
ness in the alloy. 

I have found, in general, that cobalt, in an alloy with 
two or more metals of the chromium group, produces a 
series of useful alloys, throughout a very wide range in 
the relative proportion of the constituents. In the case of 
admixtures of many other metals, the hardness rapidly in- 
creases with the increase in the proportion of one or more 
of the constituents, until the alloy becomes so brittle as 
to be unfit for practical use. As, for instance, if copper be 
alloyed with tin, an increase in the hardness of the alloy 
takes place, until, when the proportion of. tin is materially 
over 10 per cent., the alloy becomes so brittle as to be unfit 
for practical use. To the contrary in the case of such 
other alloys, an increase in either the chromium, tungsten 
or molybdenum constituent, in the ternary and quaternary 
alloys referred to, even beyond the proportions hereinbe- 
fore generally stated (but so far as my experiments have 
gone, not exactly determined ) , will not make the alloy too 
brittle for practical uses. In other words, my tests have 
shown that, when the constituents of the alloys described 
are present, within the wide range of relative proportions 
stated, a series of alloys may be produced having novel and 
very valuable properties, and capable of use in the arts 
with great advantage and benefit. 

It is to be understood that small quantities of other 
metals, or non-metallic substances, may be combined with 
the ternary and quaternary alloys described, such as will 
not injuriously affect the nature of such alloys, and which 
may to some extent modify their properties and render 
them more suitable for special requirements. 

From the above, it will be understood that I have dis- 
covered new and useful ternary and quaternary metal 
alloys, consisting of cobalt and two or more metals of the 

184 



chromium group, and that these combinations or alloys 
possess particular and novel characteristics, as well as 
similar properties, whether composed of cobalt, chromium 
and tungsten; cobalt chromium and molybdenum; or 
cobalt, chromium, tungsten and molybdenum. It is also to 
be understood that any other metal of the chromium group 
may be added to the alloy or substituted in the alloy for 
either one of the metals of the chromium group herein- 
before particularly specified. 

Inasmuch as an alloy having the same general charac- 
teristics may be obtained by embodying cobalt and .chro- 
mium with either one of the other metals of the chromium 
group, to wit, tungsten or molybdenum (forming a ter- 
nary compound) or with two of such other metals of such 
chromium group, to wit, tungsten and molybdenum (form- 
ing a quaternary compound), it is to be understood that 
the term "metal allied with chromium" as used in certain 
of the appended claims, is intended to mean, or to include 
in a general sense, either one or more than one of the 
specific metals, other than chromium, known or commonly 
designated as metals of the chromium group. 

I claim : 

1. A metal alloy composed of cobalt and at least two 
of the metals of the chromium group. 

2. A metal alloy composed of cobalt, chromium, and 
other metal allied with chromium. 

3. A metal alloy composed of cobalt, chromium and one 
other metal of the chromium group. 

4. A metal alloy composed of cobalt, chromium and 
tungsten. 

1,057,753, Marsh (Assigned to Hoskins Manufacturing 
Gmnpany) , April 1, 1913 

My invention relates to an electrical resistance element 
adapted for general use, but primarily for the production 

185 



of heat in heating devices. In devices of this character 
the factor of principal importance is durability, which it 
is practically impossible to predetermine except by actual 
test under conditions approximating those of use. By such 
test I have discovered that a resistance element formed of 
an alloy of iron and aluminium possesses great durability, 
combined with sufficient resistivity that it may convenient- 
ly be built into translators of the character specified, its 
resistivity being 94 michroms per centimeter cube when 10 
per cent, aluminium is used. 

In practice I prefer to use an alloy in which the alu- 
minium is from 5 to 10 per cent. The addition of larger 
quantities of aluminium renders the alloy difficult to roll, 
but the advance in metal working knowledge may make 
it possible to' work higher percentages. Of course, it will 
be understood that my invention comprehends not only the 
use of the alloy specified, but as well, the same alloy with 
additions of various other metals, for I have learned that 
when the suitability of a resistance element is once discov- 
ered, it may suffer the addition of considerable quantities 
of other metals without being materially injured, or, in 
fact, changed to any noticeable extent, although in some 
cases the addition of elements produces quite extraordinary 
changes. 

1. An electrical resistance element adapted to withstand 
a high temperature formed of an alloy consisting of iron 
and aluminium. 

2. An electrical resistance element adapted to with- 
stand a high temperature formed of an alloy consisting of 
iron and aluminium, the aluminium being in the propor- 
tion of from 5 to 10 per cent. 

1,057,754, Marsh (Assigned to Hoskins Manufacturing 
Company) , April 1, 1913. 

My invention consists in a novel resistance element 
adapted for general use for which articles of the class are 

186 



intended, and more especially suited for use in heating ap- 
pliances. For this purpose, it is well known that the prin- 
cipal requirement is durability, and the resistivity should 
be high enough to enable the requisite heat to be developed 
in the space afforded in commercial appliances. The 
durability of a wire of a resistance element maintained at 
a high temperature by internally developed heat caused 
by the passage of an electric current depends upon a very 
large number of factors and can be determined only by 
test. 

In my Patent No. 811,859, wherein I describe a resist- 
ance element of nickel and chromium, and mention as de- 
sirable, nickel chromium alloys with the chromium in the 
percentages of 10 and 15, I also stated that iron was not 
suitable for my purpose, and in working with iron as a 
substitute for nickel in the proportions therein mentioned, 
the facts are as stated therein. I have since discovered, 
however, that there is a somewhat sharp change in the 
durability of the alloy when the chromium is used in high 
percentages, as from 20 per cent, upward, and when 25 
per cent, chromium is used, the alloy is extremely durable, 
although it is a trifle less durable than the exceedingly re- 
sistant nickel chromium alloy therein described. How- 
ever, for use at low temperatures, say at 800° C, and 
particularly where the element is to be used in large quan- 
tities and price is a consideration, the iron chromium com- 
position is very desirable. It has a resistivity of approxi- 
mately 56 michroms per centimeter cube, which is suffi- 
ciently high for most uses. 

The resistance element of the composition above men- 
tioned can, when suitable materials are used, be drawn into 
wire form as high as 35 per cent, chromium, as far as I 
know now, but with the rapid advance of rolling methods, 
and the possibility of obtaining purer metals, much higher 
proportions may be drawn in the future. Resistance ele- 
ments containing from 20 to 35 per cent, chromium are 
generally uniform in character, but with slightly greater 
life and slightly higher resistivity as the chromium in- 

187 



crease^, and it is not to be anticipated that a further in- 
crease of chromium within any limits which may be found 
workable in the future, will materially change the prop- 
erties. Manifestly, still greater proportions of chromium 
might be used if cast grids or the like were used. 

I claim : 

A resistance element adapted to withstand a high tem- 
perature formed of an iron chromium alloy in which the 
chromium is at least 20 per cent. 



1,096,655, Weintraub (Assigned to General Electric Com- 
pany), May 12, 1914 

The present invention comprises new and useful alloys 
of platinum and either tungsten or molybdenum, or of 
the three together, having the property of being malleable, 
resisting oxidation and having besides greater mechanical 
strength than platinum. 

The new alloys embodying my invention comprise at 
least about 20 parts of platinum, the remainder being tung- 
sten or molybdenum, or both. For the preparation of the 
alloys I prefer to use the metals in a ductile state. One 
mode of procedure is to use very thin wires of the respec- 
tive metals, the wires being combined in proper propor- 
tions. The wires are twisted or braided intimately to- 
gether and heated to the melting point in an inert environ- 
ment, for example, by the heat of a mercury arc until 
alloying takes place. Vapor arc furnaces suitable for 
melting the metals in contact with one another are shown 
in my Patents Nos. 997,882 and 1,068,615. The alloys thus 
prepared resemble platinum in appearance, but in tensile 
strength and hardness are superior to platinum. The per- 
manency in air and good wearing properties of these new 
alloys constitute properties making the alloys superior to 
platinum and iridium for many purposes, particularly for 
scientific instruments, jewelry, electrical contacts, and the 
like. 



188 



I claim : 

1. A malleable alloy which is permanent in air com- 
prising tungsten and platinum, the latter constituting at 
least about 20 per cent of the alloy. 

2. A malleable alloy comprising about 20 to 60 parts 
of platinum and about SO to 40 parts of tungsten, said alloy 
being characterized by permanence' in air and by being 
more refractory and harder than platinum. 

1,101,534, Graf, June 30, 1911, 

My invention relates to an improvement in alloys, and 
has for its object to provide a composition of metal which 
may be employed as a substitute for platinum in various 
instances, such as electrical contacts, and the like, and 
which will be cheaper to manufacture, and can consequent- 
ly be sold at considerably less price than the cost of plati- 
num. 

The composition consists of the following ingredients, 
to wit: platinum, 4!/2 ounces; silver, 2^2 ounces; gold, l 1 /* 
ounces; sulphide of antimony, 16 ounces; sodium chloride, 
4 ounces; crystallized vitriol, IV2 ounces; copper (pulver- 
ized) VA ounces; sulphur distillate, iy 2 ounces; mercury, 
iy 2 ounces. 

In carrying out my invention, the vitriol, sulphide of 
antimony and sodium chloride are placed in a retort and 
thoroughly baked, and then mixed with the platinum, sil- 
ver, gold and copper, and melted together, to which is 
added the sidphur distillate and mercury. These ingredi- 
ents when allowed to cool form my alloy. The antimony 
and mercury being more or less volatile at the tempera- 
ture at which the other metals are molten, but slight traces 
of these ingredients remain in the alloy as a finished prod- 
uct. By this composition, I produce a metal which can be 
used in connection with electrical appliances and the like, 
as well as for other purposes to which platinum is adapted. 
This metal can be made much cheaper than platinum and 

189 



can be employed as a substitute for platinum in the manu- 
facture of various devices and appliances wherein plati- 
num is usually employed. 

The crystallized vitriol is prepared as follows : Powdered 
white vitriol ( zinc sulphate ) dissolved in alcohol is placed 
in a retort and subjected to heat of not less than 212° F., 
from whence it is distilled to a receptacle and allowed to 
remain until crystallized, the time required to crystallize 
being approximately twenty days. 

The sulphur distillate is prepared by placing a quantity 
of powdered sulphur in a retort and subject the same to a 
heat sufficient to cause a vapor to arise therefrom, this 
vapor is distilled into another receptacle and permitted 
to remain for a period of approximately twenty days, the 
distillate becoming more or less of an oily nature and is 
sometimes termed sulphur oil. 

I am aware that changes may be resorted to in the 
method of mixing the ingredients and the proportions or 
quantities used. 

I claim: 

An alloy consisting of platinum, 45 per cent. ; gold, 15 
per cent, ; silver, 25 per cent., and copper, 15 per cent. 

See U. S. Patent 1,115,239 on page 34. 
See IT. S. Patent, Keissue 13,961, page 274. 
See U. S. Patent 1,150,113 on page 39. 
See U. S. Patent 1,151,160 on page 84. 

1,130,011, Eldred, March 2, 1915 

This relates to a contact element having a layer of plati- 
num of a peculiar hard texture firmly united to a founda- 
tion of a metal of the iron class, as nickel, iron, steel, etc. 

The joinder is of the nature of a weld union, so that the 
joined metals can be extended by rolling, hammering, draw- 
ing, etc., which operations give the platinum a hard, dense 
and firm texture. 

190 



In practice a bar or sheet of platinum is laid on a bar 
or sheet of the foundation metal, and the assembled metals 
quickly and cautiously heated to a temperature where the 
surface only of the foundation metal melts. This causes 
their joinder. The heating is preferably from above and 
all gases should be extricated. With a comparatively wide, 
thin sheet of platinum, it may be perforated in the middle 
to allow exit of gases. 

Instead of direct joinder, a linking layer of copper, gold, 
or silver may be employed, this layer first being welded on 
to the foundation. Nickel is suitable as a foundation 
metal. 

In punching, the platinum may be flowed or arched some 
distance down the shank of foundation metal. 

I claim : 

1. The process of producing platinum capped contact 
elements which comprises producing an integral union be- 
tween a layer of platinum and a layer of stiff and strong 
metal by means of a fused layer of linking metal, rolling 
clown the joined metals to a greater thinness to compact 
the platinum and produce a compound plate having a 
thickness substantially equal to the length of a contact 
point and cutting contact elements therefrom by a vertical 
cut. 

1,166 J29, Heyl (Assigned to Commercial Research Com- 
pany), Dec. 28, 1915 

This invention relates to improvements in terminals for 
contact or spark devices. 

It has been the usual practice heretofore to provide a 
contact device or spark point in electrical apparatus with 
a terminal facing or cap of platinum in order to insure 
that such facing or cap will remain clean and unaffected by 
electric sparks which may be formed between such terminal 
facings. Platinum has been employed for such terminal 
facings particularly on account of its high melting point 

191 



and its non-oxidizability or chemical inertness under vari- 
ous conditions of service, whereby it maintains a good 
metallic surface even though heated to a relatively high 
temperature by the sparks. Hardness has generally been 
considered an advantage in a terminal facing for a contact 
device where the points are moved into and out of contact 
with each other. In fact it has sometimes been the prac- 
tice to alloy a certain percentage of iridium with platinum 
in order to produce a terminal facing of greater hardness. 
I have found, however, that in practice it is difficult to 
make the contact surfaces fit exactly to each other through- 
out their entire extent, and therefore with very hard ter- 
minal facings any defect in accurate fitting of the meeting 
surfaces becomes a disadvantage, because the surfaces do 
not thereafter wear to a good contact with each other, 
or at least not for a long time. 

I have found that a terminal facing for spark points or 
contact devices comprising a mixture of palladium and sil- 
ver has important advantages- over anything heretofore 
known to me. Palladium is a material having a high melt- 
ing point, but when alloyed with silver the melting point 
of the alloy is very considerably reduced. This apparently 
would be a great disadvantage and would seem to indicate 
that such an alloy would not be satisfactory for the pur- 
poses named. I have found, however, that as the thermal- 
conductivity of silver is very high, when mixed with palla- 
dium it gives to ..the alloy a thermal-conductivity consid- 
erably above that of palladium. Owing to this thermal-con- 
ductivity the heat generated by the spark is conducted 
away from the contact surface rapidly enough to insure 
that the surface portion will not reach a temperature above 
the melting point of the alloy. Where the current passing 
through the terminal facings does not have a great density, 
the terminal facings may be formed of an alloy composed 
principally of silver with a relatively small amount of 
palladium. In fact I have found that an alloy of silver 
with 2 per cent, of palladium will give satisfactory results 
under many circumstances. When, however, the spark 

. 192 



points or contact devices are to be exposed to an at- 
mosphere containing sulphur compounds, the percentage 
of palladium should be increased. I have found that an 
alloy of silver with 5 per cent, of palladium or more is 
substantially inert in any atmosphere likely to be en- 
countered in practice. 

A further* important feature of my invention, however, 
consists in a special proportioning of the constituents of 
such an alloy, and is not limited to an alloy of palladium 
and silver. It will be noted that palladium is a non-oxidiz- 
able metal having a high melting point, but a low thermal- 
conductivity. Silver, on the other hand, is a metal having 
a comparatively low melting point, but a high thermal- 
conductivity. When, in an alloy of palladium and silver, 
the percentage of palladium is increased, the melting point 
of the alloy is increased, but its thermal-conductivity is de- 
creased. At a certain intermediate point between the 
maximum and minimum proportions of palladium, the 
alloy will have the maximum resistance to spark erosion 
for an alloy of such components. The particular percent- 
age which produces this maximum above mentioned may 
be considered as a critical proportion, because if the per- 
centage of palladium be increased the thermal-eonductivity 
of the alloy is decreased, and hence, for this reason its re- 
sistance to spark erosion is reduced, whereas if the per- 
centage of silver is increased from said critical proportion, 
the melting point of the alloy is decreased, and for this rea- 
son its resistance to spark erosion is reduced. I have 
found that such a critical proportion for a palladium-sil- 
ver alloy occurs with about 60 per cent, of silver and 40 
per cent, of palladium. When an alloy of this composition 
is used for the terminal facings of contact devices or spark 
points the result will be~entirely satisfactory with the 
greatest density of current encountered in practice, while 
at the same time such an alloy is substantially mechan- 
ically inert and will not be affected by the reacting com- 
ponents of any atmosphere likely to be encountered in 
practice. It is to be understood that considerable varia- 

193 



tioii from the critical proportion may obtain in practice 
without material disadvantage. In fact I have found 
that 50 to SO per cent, of palladium and 50 to 20 per cent, 
of silver form an alloy particularly satisfactory for gen- 
eral use. It is clear that so far as this feature of my in- 
vention is concerned, any non-oxidizable high melting- 
metal of low thermal-conductivity may be combined with 
a low melting metal of high thermal-conductivity in sub- 
stantially the proper critical proportion so as to produce 
an alloy having the maximum resistance to spark erosion. 

A terminal facing for a contact device made of palla- 
dium silver alloy inay be somewhat softer than pure plati- 
num, whereby considerable difficulty in fitting the surfaces 
to each other is avoided owing to the fact that as the com- 
position is somewhat softer and more malleable than plati- 
num, the hammering of the contact surfaces against each 
other in practice will force an accurate fit of the contact 
surfaces, and thereby insure a satisfactory operation of 
the contacts, even when not accurately fitted initially. Of 
course, the contacts should not be so soft as to materially 
flatten out after the surfaces have been brought into con- 
tact throughout. 

In practice I have found that terminal facings compris- 
ing an alloy of palladium and silver are as satisfactory as 
pure platinum facings, while at the same time they are 
more readily worked into shape and attached in place by 
soldering or the like. 

While I have particularly referred to a terminal facing- 
consisting of palladium and silver alloy, it is to be under- 
stood that my invention in its broadest aspect does not 
exclude such an alloy containing other constituents in ad- 
dition to the palladium and silver. 

What is claimed is : 

1. A terminal for an electric spark or contact device 
comprising palladium and silver. 



194 



2. A terminal for an electric spark or contact device 
consisting of an alloy of palladium and silver. 

3. A terminal for an electric spark or contact device 
consisting of an alloy of palladium and silver containing 
from substantially 40 to 80 per cent, of palladium. 

1,168,074, Hunter, Jan. 11, 1916 

This invention relates to electric resistance materials 
and involves the production of a new alloy for use in the 
manufacture of electric resistance elements of various 
kinds. 

In accordance with the invention, an alloy is produced 
which may be used at relatively low cost in the production 
of electric resistance elements possessing to a marked de- 
gree the two primary requisites of such resistances, name- 
ly, high electrical resistivity and low temperature coeffi- 
cient of resistance. The new alloy is also specially adapted 
for use in resistance elements for the reasons that 
it has a high melting point, will not corrode when 
worked hot and has a low thermo-electromotive force 
against copper. The new alloy made in accordance with 
the invention consists of nickel, copper and chromium, the 
proportion of nickel being large relatively to the propor- 
tion of copper and chromium. 

Alloys of nickel and chromium have been used hereto- 
fore as a resistance material and the results thus obtained 
are very good. I have discovered, however, that by prop- 
erly alloying nickel, copper and chromium, a resistance ma- 
terial may be produced which is much more efficient and 
desirable. I have found that though the addition of chro- 
mium to copper has but little effect upon the electric re- 
sistance thereof, the addition of chromium to an alloy of 
copper and nickel in the proper proportions increases the 
resistance of the alloy far beyond that to which the resist- 
ance of nickel is raised by alloying chromium therewith. 
Furthermore, the addition of chromium effects a reduction 

195 



in the temperature coefficient of resistance of the alloy. 
Otherwise stated, I have found that the addition of a small 
proportion of copper to an alloy of chromium and nickel 
results in materially increasing the resistivity of the alloy, 
It is important, however, that the proportion of copper 
should be small as compared to the nickel, since increases 
in the proportion of copper beyond a critical point result 
in lowering the resistance of the alloy below what it would 
be if no copper were present. 

In the alloy which I have found to be most suitable for 
general use as a resistance material, the nickel and cop- 
per are in the proportion of 75 to 95 parts of nickel to 25 
to 5 parts of copper. Good results may be obtained out- 
side this range of variation, especially when but little chro- 
mium is used, but I find this relation of the nickel and cop- 
per elements to be best. As the proportion of nickel is in- 
creased beyond 95 parts of nickel to 5 parts of copper and 
as it is decreased below 75 parts of nickel to 25 parts of 
copper, a marked decrease occurs in the resistivity of the 
alloy. The amount of chromium added to the mixture is 
small compared to the nickel; preferably it is from 15 to 
25 parts by weight of chromium to 100 parts of nickel and 
copper. The higher proportions of chromium have a bene- 
ficial effect in increasing the resistivity, but then practical 
difficulties in the mechanical treatment of the material 
become more pronounced. An amount of chromium less 
than that above named as being best would increase the 
resistance of a given copper-nickel mixture and is especially 
desirable when the proportion of copper is made larger 
than that above indicated for any reason, but the resistance 
of the material thus produced would be less than that ob- 
tained by employing the larger amount of chromium in 
combination with nickel and copper in the proportions 
above indicated. 

I have had particularly good results with an alloy con- 
sisting of 85 parts of nickel to 15 parts of copper, with 20 
parts of chromium to 100 parts of nickel and copper. Such 
an alloy has been found to have a resistivity of about 113 

196 



microhms per centimeter cube at 20° C. and to have at 
that temperature a temperature coefficient of resistance 
of about 0.000078 ohms per degree centigrade per ohm. 

What I claim is: 

1. An electric resistance material consisting of an alloy 
of nickel, copper and chromium, the nickel and copper be- 
ing in the relation of 75 parts to 95 parts of nickel to 25 
parts to 5 parts of copper ; substantially as described. 

See U. S. Patent 1,169,753 on page 77. 

1,115,112, Oakley, March U, 1916 

The present invention relates to valves adapted for use 
within the cylinders of internal combustion engines, to 
control the intake of gases thereto, and the exhaust of 
gases therefrom. 

It is an object of the present invention to provide a valve 
possessing the characteristics of strength and ability to re- 
sist high degrees of heat as to render its use in the cylin- 
ders of engines of this type free from the attendant diffi- 
culties which are common to valves now ordinarily used. 

The valve is made from an alloy, the constituents of 
which are approximately as follows: 

Nickel About 67% 

Iron From 1% to 5% 

Copper Remainder 

Such an alloy contains but a trace of carbon ; it has been 
found to possess a coefficient of expansion under the ap- 
plication of heat substantially identical with that of the 
steels ordinarily used in the manufacture of gas engine 
puppet valves, and also with that of cast iron of which the 
cylinders are usually made. This alloy is distinguished 
further by its ability to resist the destructive action of 
high temperatures, and its freedom from the gaseous corro- 
sion ordinarily produced in other metals by the heating 

197 



■ of the same above a red heat. It has been found that the 
alloy does not scale, as does steel, under high tempera- 
tures, but that the oxide forms a thin adherent coating. 
When heated to the maximum temperatures attainable in 
the ordinary operation of gas engines, this alloy retains 
approximately SO per cent, of its elastic limit and tensile 
strength as compared with approximately 71 per cent re- 
tained by the best high grade steel at such temperatures. 
Furthermore, the virtual freedom of this alloy from any 
carbon content, as compared to the appreciable carbon 
content of all steel and irons used heretofore in the produc- 
tion of valves of this type, has the effect of eliminating a 
very potent agency in the production of a deposit of car- 
bon on the valve, namely, the tendency of the carbon pro- 
duced by combustion of the gas to unite with any carbon 
contained in the highly heated valve. 

I claim : 

1. A valve for internal combustion engines, made from 
an alloy comprising a large proportion of nickel, and a 
small proportion of iron. 

2. A valve for internal combustion engines, made from 
an alloy chiefly consisting of nickel and copper. 

3. A valve for internal combustion engines, made from 
an alloy comprising approximately 67 per cent, of nickel 
and 30 per cent, of copper. 

1,175,724, Driver, March U, 1916 

My invention relates to chromium alloys intended pri- 
marily for use as an electrical-resistance element. 

The purpose of the invention is to produce a novel class 
of non-oxidizing alloys that are ductile and malleable, 
with a high electrical-resistance and a low temperature- 
coefficient. 

More specifically, a. preferred form of my invention is 
based on the discovery that whereas a substantial per- 

198 



centage ( say, 5 to 10 per cent. ) of chromium added to cop- 
per alone gives such inferior mechanical qualities that 
the material is practically valueless, yet when the chro- 
mium is to be added to a mixture or alloy of copper and 
some other metal such as manganese or nickel, the chro- 
mium may be added in substantial quantities (say, from 
about 10 per cent, to almost 20 per cent.) and yet produce 
an alloy which is ductile and malleable, and Avhich affords 
a relatively high resistance to oxidation ; moreover, the al- 
loys of this new class present a high electrical resistance 
and have a low temperature-coefficient, so that they are 
particularly suitable for electrical-resistance purposes. 

Other thing's being equal, increase in the percentage of 
chromium increases the resistance to oxidation, but de- 
creases the workability of the composition. With as much 
as 20 per cent, of chromium, the material appears rather 
difficult to work; but with around 10 per cent, of chro- 
mium, it works easily, and such 10 per cent, chromium 
alloys are found to be very suitable for electrical-resistance 
purposes. Even an amountof chromium as low as 2 per 
cent, produces a marked effect. 

Broadly, my invention contemplates an alloy containing 
chromium, more specifically chromium and copper. I pre- 
fer, however, an alloy comprising chromium and copper 
with some other metal or metals, and particularly such 
three-metal alloys in which there is a substantial percent- 
age of the chromium. The preferred amount of chromium 
is around 10 per cent., although the percentage may vary 
as between, say, 2 per cent, and 20 per cent. 

As one example, take about 45 parts, by weight, of 
copper, about 45 parts of nickel, and about 10 parts of 
chromium, and fuse them together in any convenient man- 
ner. As another example, take about 50 parts by weight, 
of nickel, about 30 parts of copper, about 10 parts of man- 
ganese, and about 10 parts of chromium, and fuse them 
together in any convenient manner. The lowest tempera- 
ture coefficients have been obtained where the nickel and 
copper are used in about equal amounts, and as the nickel 

199 



is increased the alloy becomes harder. But these nickel- 
copper-chromium alloys, with or without manganese, give 
very good results, both where the nickel predominates and 
where the copper predominates. The effect of the addition 
of chromium to alloys containing nickel and copper, in- 
creases as the percentage of the nickel increases. In other 
words, it seems as though the chromium has a greater ef- 
fect, for electrical resistance, upon the nickel than upon 
the copper. I 

Having thus described my invention, I claim : 

1. An electrical- resistance element consisting of an alloy 
containing copper and nickel and manganese, with from 
about 2 per cent, to about 10 per cent, of chromium. 

2. An electrical -resistance element consisting of an al- 
loy containing copper and nickel and manganese, with a 
substantial percentage of chromium. 

1,203,180, Brix (Assigned to American Alloys Co.), Oct. 

31, 1916 

The description is the same as U. S. Patent 1,203,555 on 
page y-jf- . 

I claim : 

1. A metal alloy containing one or more of the metals 
of the nickel group such as nickel not under 55 per cent., 
one or metals of the chromium group such as chromium 
not over 30 per cent., silicon not over 10 per cent., and one 
or more metals that will act on the contents of the alloy 
to assist in melting the same to render the alloy homogene- 
ous, such as copper. 

See U. S. Patent 1,203,555 on page ^-^ 

1,211,943, Hunter, Jan. 9, 1917 

My invention relates to electrical resistance material, 
and particularly to that class of electrical resistance ma- 

200 



terial wherein great durability is the predominant char- 
acteristic in connection with resistivity relatively higher 
than that of many metals, for example, silver, copper, etc. 
When it is desired to derive heat directly from electricity, 
the electricity is passed directly through a resistance ma- 
terial, the heat generated being proportioned to the resist- 
ance and the current. It is desirable that the resistance 
material be operated at as high a temperature as prac- 
ticable, and the problem to be solved is to secure a ma- 
terial which has a relatively high resistance and which, at 
the same time, will not become oxidized or otherwise al- 
tered by the action of the air and moisture while it is at 
high temperature. In other words, durability is an essen- 
tial characteristic. Another desirable characteristic is that 
the temperature coefficient of resistance must be low. The 
best known resistance material, so far as 1 durability is con- 
cerned, is the element platinum. The high cost of this ele- 
ment renders its general use as resistance material pro- 
hibitive. While platinum has a higher resistance than 
some elements, its resistance is not great as compared 
with some alloys of less durability. The resistance ma- 
terials comprising these alloys that are well known have 
sufficient durability to> render them practicable and give 
them a higher resistance than that of platinum, but they 
can only be prepared at great cost, because of the great 
value of their basic constituents, and because of the diffi- 
culty experienced in reducing the material to shapes and 
sizes necessary for their general application in the heating- 
devices. 

The alloy which I have discovered and which embodies 
my invention is superior to the expensive alloys above men- 
tioned, so far as durability, resistivity and temperature 
coefficient of resistance are concerned, but it, nevertheless, 
is cheaply produced, by reason of the low cost of its basic 
and fundamental constituent, iron, and by reason of its 
ready workability. It has been the belief, heretofore, that 
iron was not a suitable base or foundation for a practical 
resistance material, because of its being readily destroyed 

201 



by exposure to air at high temperature, even when alloyed 
with elements known to possess the property of resisting 
oxidation at high temperatures. It is well known, how- 
ever, that the properties of an alloy cannot be foretold 
from a knowledge of the properties of the constituents of 
the alloy derived from observation of the properties of 
those constituents under variations of conditions, either 
when they are substantially pure or when they are alloyed 
with other materials. 

My invention comprises an alloy whei'ein the base or 
foundation is iron, which, as above noted, has heretofore 
been believed to be unsuitable, with which is alloyed nickel 
and chromium, the proportions of nickel and chromium 
being respectively less than the proportion of iron. It has 
been suggested that chromium will increase the resistance 
of an alloy and, at the same time, increase its durability, 
but it is well known that the addition of chromium in all 
percentages will not bring about these desirable results, 
but, on the contrary, the addition of chromium in certain 
percentages will exert an undesirable influence upon re- 
sistivity and durability. 

I have made a great number of experiments with alloys 
containing chromium, iron and nickel. My experiments 
have had for their object the determination of the re- 
sistivity and durability of alloys in which various amounts 
of chromium have been added to alloys having varying 
proportions of iron and nickel. The alloys which were 
tested comprised a number of series, in each of which the 
chromium content remained constant and the proportions 
of iron and nickel varied. Each alloy can be considered 
as comprising an iron-nickel portion and a chromium 
portion, the iron-nickel portion being always made up of 
100 parts, the proportions of which varied from substan- 
tially 100 parts iron and parts nickel to 100 parts nickel 
and parts iron. Each series of alloys above referred to 
was formed by adding a constant quantity of chromium to 
a varying iron-nickel alloy, the constant quantity of chro- 
mium in one series differing from that in another and 

202 



varying substantially from 10 to 40 parts for each 100 
parts of the iron-nickel portion. In each series; I found 
that the best results are obtained with an alloy in which 
the iron-nickel portion has from 75 parts nickel and 25 
parts iron to 25 parts nickel and 75 pai*ts iron and the 
chromium portion comprises 20 to 40 parts of chromium 
for each 100 parts of the iron-nickel portion Very desir- 
able alloys are found in the field in which the iron-nickel 
portion is made up of 50 to 60 parts of iron and 50 to 40 
parts of nickel and the chromium portion varies from 25 
to 35 parts of chromium for each 100 parts of the iron- 
nickel portion. As a specific instance, I have found that 
an alloy containing 30 per cent, nickel, 47 per cent, iron 
and 23 per cent, chromium gives excellent results. This 
alloy has as high resistivity as is desirable and has great 
durability, and it is at the same time, very easily worked 
-and much cheaper than known alloys having equally desir- 
able properties. This alloy is readily compounded, and 
great uniformity of results is obtained. 

It is to be understood that, where I have mentioned chro- 
mium, other elements of the group to which chromium be- 
longs can be substituted within the scope of my invention. 
Iron, nickel and cobalt are in the same group of elements, 
but it has been believed heretofore that iron could not be 
substituted for nickel. In my alloy, however, I have suc- 
cessfully made this substitution by using the proportions 
herein set forth of the various elements. It is to be under- 
stood, however, that cobalt may be substituted for nickel 
within the scope of my invention, and it is to be understood 
that whenever I refer to a metal having the properties of 
nickel and cobalt, in the claims, I intend only the metals 
nickel and cobalt, inasmuch as they have common prop- 
erties, suitable for my purposes, but which can not be de- 
fined by any single term. The metals of the chromium 
group, when alloyed in proper proportions with other 
metals, impart desirable properties thereto. However, at 
present, I believe that chromium is the most desirable of 

203 



the metals of this group. It has thus been found to be sat- 
isfactory for my purposes. 

It is apparent, therefore, that I have produced an alloy 
having an element for a base which was believed formerly 
to be unsuitable, and which alloy, nevertheless, possesses 
the necessary characteristics to a marked degree. 

I claim : 

1. An electric resistance material comprising a strip, 
strand or filament formed of an alloy of iron, a metal of 
the chromium group, and a metal having the properties of 
nickel and cobalt, no other metal being present in such 
proportions as to affect the qualities of said alloy as a 
resistance material. 

2. An electric resistance material comprising a strip, 
strand or filament formed of an alloy having a major por- 
tion of iron, a metal of the chromium group, and a metal 
having the properties of nickel and cobalt. 

1,217,578, Driver, Feb. 27, 1917 

My invention relates to alloys intended especially for 
electrical resistances. The object of the invention is to 
produce alloys which can be readily soldered, and to pro- 
duce alloys of a closer and more cohesive grain in such elec- 
trical resistances as now have a tendency toward a separa- 
tion of the grains, under working, thereby to render com- 
mercially available certain resistance-alloys which are not 
at present commercially useful or usable, owing to their 
friability or tendency to break or separate during the 
process of rolling and drawing. 

In this art, an alloy is regarded as suitable for an elec- 
trical-resistance element if it has an electrical resistance of 
thirty or more michroms per cubic centimeter. 

I have discovered, by study and experiment, that tin can 
be used as an ingredient of such alloys to good advantage 
In securing the objects above set forth. The addition of a 

'204 



proper amount of tin gives to the particular alloy at least 
two most desirable and distinct qualities which it did not 
theretofore possess : 

First, although copper-manganese, copper-manganese- 
aluminium, copper-nickel, copper-nickel-manganese, etc., 
alloys have been used for electrical resistance purposes, it 
has; been found difficult to solder in a permanent manner 
most if not all of these alloys. By the addition of a proper 
amount of tin, this difficulty can be and is to a great ex- 
tent overcome. With reference to the proper amount of 
tin to be used in a particular composition ( e. g,, one where- 
in copper and manganese forms the body of the alloy), I 
have found about five (5) per cent, of tin to be very effi- 
cient, though less may be employed with some benefit, and 
a larger percentage can be used if desired. For instance, 
an alloy of copper 83 per cent., manganese 12 per cent., and 
tin 5 per cent., gives a high electrical-resistance, a low tem- 
perature-coefficient, a low thermo-electric effect against 
copper, and good solderable quality. 

Second, in some alloys, particularly those employing 
nickel and manganese (e. g., copper-nickel-manganese) the 
grains of the composition are in themselves often strong 
and tough, but there is little cohesion between the grains, 
and the alloy as a whole is not sufficiently strong and duc- 
tile to withstand rolling and drawing For rendering- 
such alloys workable, less tin is required than for render- 
ing them capable of being soldered. I have found that 
the addition thereto of from 1 per cent, to 2 per cent, of 
tin, produces a marked improvement in ductility and co- 
hesion and permits the working to be carried on to a 
greater extent and with more satisfactory results. But, if 
it is desired to render the alloy both workable and capable 
of being soldered a larger amount than from 1 to 2 per 
cent, of tin may be used. 

The percentages above set forth are given merely as ex- 
amples of the amount of tin which may be used to advan- 
tage in particular cases, but my invention is not limited 

205 



to such percentages, and the amount of tin used can be 
varied to a considerable degree without departing from 
the spirit of my invention and the scope of its usefulness. 

Having thus described my invention, I claim : 

1. An electrical-resistance element consisting of an alloy 
containing copper and manganese, and having about 5 per 
cent, of tin. 

2. An electrical-resistance element consisting of an alloy 
containing copper and some other ingredient, and having 
about 5 per cent, of tin. 

1,221 ,7 '69, Cooper {Assigned to the Cooper Comptmy), 

April 3, 1917 

This invention consists of an alloy of zirconium and 
nickel or cobalt, with or without the addition of another 
metal, all substantial!} as herein shown and described and 
more particularly pointed out in the claims. 

I have found by careful experimentation that ductile 
metals such as cobalt or nickel may be hardened or tough- 
ened to a variable degree by the addition of more or less of 
the metal zirconium, and that the alloy and a product made 
therefrom is also resistant to acids and alkalis, and 
possesses high electrical resistance, and when heated to 
about 1150° C. there is formed on the outside a thin ad- 
herent coating of oxide which prevents further oxidation 
of the metal. 

Where a small percentage of zirconium is used, for ex- 
ample, 2 to 10 per cent., and the balance nickel, the alloy 
takes a fine and lasting cutting edge and is suitable for 
knives, razors and other cutlery. In an alloy of zirconium 
and nickel comprising 8 per cent, to 15 per cent, of zir- 
conium and the remaining per cent, nickel or cobalt, the 
melting point of the alloy is decreased below that of nickel, 
or about 1400° C, and the electrical resistance increased 
compared with nickel, while an increase in hardness and 

206 



resistance to oxidation and corrosion is also effected. Cut- 
lery made of the alloy remains bright and clean even under 
the action of acids found in such fruits as lemons, oranges, 
etc., and cutting tools or implements made therefrom are 
' far superior to steel tools. The alloy may be forged or 
worked at red heat, and is also applicable to electrical 
uses. That is, it may be used with advantage in thermo- 
electric junctions, and as a resistance element in heating 
appliances, such as electric toasters, irons, stoves, and fur- 
nace windings. In producing the alloy, the technical oxide 
of nickel is suitable for use without purification. 

Where the zirconium content is increased to say 16 to 
30 per cent., the hardness of the alloy is greatly increased. 
For example, with 25 to 30 per cent, of zirconium and the 
balance of nickel, the alloy is of exceptional utility when 
formed into cutting tools. For example, a tool of this alloy 
easily cuts glass. The melting point and tensile strength 
is lowered by increased amounts of zirconium, and the al- 
loy cannot be worked by ordinary methods involving forg- 
ing, drawing and rolling, but may be cast to produce lathe 
or cutting tools for working alley steels, cast iron, drill rod 
and bronze. Even high speed steel is easily cut at a higher 
speed than with the tools now in use, and without ap- 
preciable wear or loss in temper of the cutting tool. 

The high speed steels now used in making cutting tools 
contain iron, tungsten, a small amount of chromium or 
vanadium, and more or less carbon. Care is necessary in 
grinding tools made of high speed steel to prevent burning 
of the tool, and loss in temper and dulling of the cutting 
edge also takes place when operating the cutting tool at 
high speed. My alloy is free from carbon and iron and I 
have found by exhaustive tests that it is impossible to 
burn a tool made of my alloy, either when cutting at a 
high speed or in grinding the tool, and that no special 
care need be taken in grinding operations. I have also 
found that the wear in grinding is only about one-tenth of 
that of the best high speed steel, which means a great sav- 
ing in material, and that the tool remains white notwith- 

207 



standing grinding or high speed operations. Moreover, my 
alloy can be manufactured at a lower cost than tungsten 
steels, as a zirconium ore with an oxide content of about 
73 per cent, is obtainable in the market at a much lower 
price than tungsten ores. 

With the zirconium content increased to 16 to 30 per 
cent., the alloy is given a very low melting point, approxi- 
mately 1150° C, and where it is necessary to operate tools 
or dies of this alloyage at a red heat an additional metal 
may be incorporated to raise the melting point of the alloy 
to the proper degree necessary to insure hardness at higher 
temperatures. For this purpose a small amount of one or 
more of the metals of the chromium group may be advan- 
tageously added, and in my experiments and tests molybde- 
num appears to give the best results of any of the metals 
of the chromium group, and I have made alloys with vari- 
ous percentages of molybdenum up to 35 per cent., with as 
high as 25 per cent, of zirconium and the balance nickel or 
cobalt. For general use, however, only a sufficient amount 
of molybdenum or its equivalent need be added to establish 
the melting point of the alloy at about 1600 C. as I find 
this to be sufficiently high to impart the necessary heat 
resisting qualities for nearly every practical purpose, and 
at the same time low enough so that the worn or used tools 
may be easily remelted and cast into bars or tools for fur- 
ther use. This alloy possesses sufficient tensile strength so 
that it is possible to permit the tool to be used with a long 
overhang. An alloy of this type is preferably composed of 
about 10 per cent, molybdenum, 25 per cent, zirconium, and 
65 per cent, nickel or cobalt. 

Iron cannot be used to replace the nickel or cobalt in 
the alloy as the alloys of zirconium iron which I have made 
are too soft for the purpose stated. Titanium (another 
member of the same group as zirconium) may be alloyed 
with nickel, but this substitute does not yield advantages 
comparable with zirconium, and nickel has proven superior 
to cobalt. 



20S 



These alloys have the peculiar property of self-harden- 
ing and are ready for use when cast; that is, no treat- 
ment is necessary before use nor are they improved by 
any tempering process known to me. The alloy takes a 
beautiful polish which is not affected by gases of the at- 
mosphere, nor corroded by alkalis or cold concentrated 
nitric, sulphuric, hydrochloric, or boiling sulphuric acids, 
or cold dilute acids. 

Chromium, uranium, or tungsten may be added to zir- 
conium and nickel or cobalt, and in this way make ternary 
and quaternary alloys of perhaps greater hardness than 
the above, and I have made alloys containing zirconium- 
nickel and tungsten, with as high as 25 per cent, tungsten, 
and also uranium, but so far the increased cost has not 
been overcome by a sufficiently better alloy to justify the 
use of these added elements. 

I have found it is possible to produce these alloys by 
various methods, one being the alumino-thermic method, 
and a typical example for the reaction in an alloy contain- 
ing about 25 per cent zirconium may be expressed as fol- 
lows : 

7M,O a + 3ZrO L -f 18A1 = Zr 3 Ni 14 9ALO s . 

If the ore is substituted for the oxide of zirconium a cor- 
respondingly larger amount must be used. 

What I claim is : 

1. An alloy comprising zirconium and a preponderating 
amount of nickel and cobalt, the zirconium content being 
not less than about 2 per cent, and not more than about 
40 per cent, of the composition. 

2. A cutting tool composed of a self-hardening alloy 
containing 2 per cent, to 40 per cent, of zirconium together 
with a preponderating amount of nickel. 

3. An alloy, comprising zirconium and a preponderat- 
ing amount of a metal having the properties of nickel or 

209 



cobalt, with the addition of a small amount of one or more 
of the metals of the chromium group not exceeding 35 per 
cent, of the composition. 

1223,002, Sandell (Assigned to Herbert 8. Mills, of Chi- 
cago, Illinois), April 11, 1917 

My invention relates to improvements in metal composi- 
tions and methods of producing the same. More particu- 
larly the invention is concerned with a metallic substance, 
which may either be a single metal or an alloy, and contain- 
ing a considerable percentage of carbon. I find that such 
a body has peculiar properties which render it desirable 
for certain technical uses. 

As is well known, there is difficulty in obtaining satis- 
factory service from metallic contact points for opening 
and closing electrical circuits. The arcing or sparking be- 
tween such points proves quickly destructive of the finished 
surfaces thereof, not only volatilizing the surfaces to cause 
pitting of the same, but also oxidizing these surfaces, 
thereby increasing the contact resistance and proportion- 
ately increasing the heating effect of the current at the con- 
tact. Through this increased resistance and heating effect 
further destructive pitting and oxidizing is set up. This 
destructive action is therefore self-perpetuating, being in 
the nature of a vicious circle, and limits the life of the con- 
tact points to such an extent that only a very few metals, 
such as platinum, and, in some special services, tungsten, 
are regarded as at all serviceable. 

T find, however, that the commoner and less expensive 
metals, or alloys thereof, exhibit such properties when com- 
bined with a relatively large proportion of carbon as to 
arrest the destructive action referred to. The result of 
such a mixture of carbon with the metal is to render the 
metallic body practically infusible as a body, though it is 
quite probable that the metallic constituents of the body 
do, in fact, fuse. It is believed that the explanation of this 
property lies in the fact that the carbon present forms a 

210 



spongy or porous mass within the interstices or pores of 
which the metal is carried and held, whether in a solid or 
liquid form, the outward appearance and general physical 
properties of the mass being apparently unaffected by sub- 
jection to temperatures, in themselves sufficient to fuse 
the metal constituents. Whether this be a true explana- 
tion of the phenomenon or not, it is nevertheless certain 
that the apparent melting point of metals, such as nickel 
and nickel-iron alloys, is raised above any temperatures 
which I have been able to obtain by the use of an electric 
furnace or an oxyacetylene flame. 

A further property of my metal composition which ren- 
ders it peculiarly valuable as a contact metal is its resist- 
ance to oxidation under sparking or arcing conditions. I 
attribute this property to the fact that the arcing or spark- 
ing volatilizes the carbon present to create a reducing at- 
mosphere which effectively prevents oxidation of the metal 
of the contacting face, whether this metal be, in fact, in 
the liquid or solid state. 

To make my new metal composition by the use of this 
apparatus, the metal, shot nickel, is introduced into a. 
recess or aperture in a carbon bar which is then placed 
in circuit with a suitable source of electric power (pref- 
erably alternating current), the current is turned on and 
regulated in strength until the bar reaches a tem- 
perature sufficient to melt the nickel. It should be noted 
that the construction of the bar is such that the metal 
therein serves as a conductor, this condition giving rise to 
a peculiar phenomenon, i. e., the molten metal body lying 
in the bottom of the bar divides itself in the center to form 
separated pools which continuously reunite and again sep- 
arate. As soon as the metal is thoroughly melted I add to 
the molten mass finely divided carbon, which I stir into 
the mass as it is added, preferably by the use of a carbon 
stirring-rod. I also find it of advantage to interrupt the 
current through the bar at intervals. Within a very few 
minutes the molten mass within the bar or crucible solidi- 
fies or sets. The process is now at an end, and the current 

211 



may be turned off, the crucible permitted to cool and the 
block of metal composition removed therefrom. This block 
may then be machined, ground or otherwise fabricated to 
produce contact points adapted for use in any form of 
make and break electrical apparatus, as, for instance, buz- 
zers or spark-coils. 

Although I prefer to stir in finely divided amorphous 
carbon during the heating of the metal within the crucible, 
this is not essential to the success of the process, since I 
find that the crucible walls themselves are eaten away dur- 
ing the process, the carbon required for the composition 
being thus supplied to a large extent by the crucible itself. 

I find that by the process above described I am able to 
produce a metal composition which appears to be homo- 
geneous throughout its mass and which upon analysis 
shows a percentage of carbon (by weight) of from 2y 2 to 
7 per cent, in the case of nickel and nickel iron alloys. The 
best results which I have secured have been by the use of 
comparatively pure shot nickel, in which I have succeeded 
in incorporating by this process approximately 7 per cent, 
of carbon. Practically all of this carbon seems to be pres- 
ent as graphite, there being only traces of combined car- 
bon and amorphous carbon. It appears therefore, that not 
only is the carbon incorporated and homogeneously mixed 
in the metal, but that in the process this carbon becomes 
converted into graphite. 

By reference to the table of specific gravities of metallic 
nickel and graphite it appears that 7 per cent. ( by weight ) 
of carbon would represent approximately 30 per cent, of 
volume or bulk of this constituent. It appears, therefore, 
that my new metal composition contains a sufficient per- 
centage of graphitic carbon to distinctly differentiate it 
from any known metals or alloys. 

As before stated, I have been able to secure the best 
results by the use of relatively pure nickel as a metallic 
constituent of my composition. I find, however, that a 
serviceable composition may be produced by the use of a 
nickel-iron alloy containing upward, of 70 per cent, of 

212 



nickel and approximately 3y 2 per cent, of carbon. My 
composition presents the general appearance of a metallic 
body, taking a good polish, and retaining its brightly pol- 
ished surface for a considerable period of time. 

By comparative tests I find that contact points made of 
my new metal composition, retain their efficiency for sub- 
stantially the same time as do platinum points under nor- 
mal loads, while under overload conditions my composition 
seems to be superior to platinum, being capable of carry- 
ing greater currents and withstanding the arcing set up 
by the passage of heavy currents with less disastrous 
effects than the platinum. 

I claim : 

1. A contact point for making and breaking electi'ical 
circuits and comprising a metal composition including up- 
ward of 70 per cent, of nickel and upward of 3 per cent, of 
uncombined carbon. 

2. A contact point for making and breaking electrical 
circuits and formed of a metal composition comprising 
substantially pure nickel, carrying upward of 3 per cent, 
of uncombined carbon. 

3. A cast metal contact point for making and breaking 
electrical circuits and comprising upward of 70 per cent, 
of nickel and upward of 3 per cent, of graphitic carbon. 



1,229,037, Cooper (Assigned to the Electro Metals Prod- 
■ucts Company) , June 5, 1917 

My invention appertains to a metal alloy adapted to be 
used as a substitute for platinum in the electrical art, as in 
coils, magnetos and all vibrating instruments, and the in- 
vention consists of a composition of silver and other metals 
which is ductile, and malleable, and of comparatively high 
melting point, good electrical conductivity, great hardness, 
non-oxidizing, and producible at a low cost. 

213 



Iii all compositions of alloys known to me in which silver 
enters, copper is also used, but I find that this composition 
oxidizes very readily making it useless for electrical con- 
tact purposes, especially where the contact is exposed to 
high temperatures and severe usage. I also find that it is 
not practicable to use silver alone as it is too soft and the 
melting point is not high enough. However, silver is a 
good electrical conductor and relatively cheap as com- 
pared with platinum and when alloyed in proper propor- 
tions with other metals as hereinafter described serves as 
an excellent substitute for platinum. One such composi- 
tion comprises silver, palladium and cobalt, in substan- 
tially the following proportions : 75 per cent, of silver, 25 
per cent, of palladium, and 5 per cent, of cobalt. Plati- 
num may be substituted for the palladium with equally 
good results, and nickel for the cobalt, but I prefer palla- 
dium as it may be obtained at a lower cost than platinum. 
I also prefer cobalt as I find it resists oxidization at a 
higher temperature than nickel, and it also makes a harder 
alloy. In this alloy I use as little of platinum or palla- 
dium as possible consistent with the durability and last- 
ing qualities of the product, and I also find that 3 to 5 per 
cent, of cobalt or nickel is sufficient to furnish the hard- 
ness necessary. 

What I claim is : 

1. An alloy for electrical uses, comprising silver and 
one or more of the metals of the platinum group and a 
metal of the cobalt-nickel group in substantially the pro- 
portions stated. 

2. An alloy for electrical uses containing silver, palla- 
dium, and a metal of the cobalt-nickel group in the pro- 
portions substantially set forth. 

See U. S. Patent 1,229,960 on page 51. 



214 



1,2116,552, Becket (Assigned to Electro Metallic Com- 
pany), Nov. 6, ion 

This invention is a new alloy containing as essential 
components: iron, chromium, carbon and usually silicon, 
and distinguished from the hertofore ferroehrome alloys, 
by its composition, and by the possession to a very high 
degree of the combined qualities of toughness, hardness, 
and resistance to oxidation both at low and high tempera- 
tures. 

An alloy combining toughness, hardness and resistance 
to oxidation to a remarkable degree contains : chromium, 
25 to 80 per cent. ; carbon, 1.5 to 3 per cent. ; silicon 0.0 to 
3 per cent. ; iron, 73 to 63.5 per cent., usually with tracesi 
of manganese, sulphur, phosphorus, copper, and perhaps 
other elements. 

These alloys are very hard and tough and do not oxi- 
dize or rust in presence of water. The degree of resistance 
to rusting is dependent in a measure upon the silicon con- 
tent of the alloy, being more strongly marked as the sili- 
con-content is increased within the limits specified. If, 
however, the silicon content exceeds these limits, a. tend- 
ency to brittleness is observed. 

As an illustration of resistance to oxidation at high 
temperatures, a cast bar of alloy containing chromium, 28 
per cent. ; carbon, 2.7 per cent. ; silicon, 0.40 per cent., the 
balance practically all iron, was exposed continuously at 
1100° C, for two weeks to an oxidizing temperature in an 
electrically-heated muffle furnace without undergoing ap- 
preciable oxidation. 

These alloys can be forged, machined, annealed and 
tempered. 

They can be used for blades of steam turbines, where 
the highest degree of resistance to wear and oxidation are 
required, and for high temperature applications, especially 
under ozidizing conditions, as for crucibles, furnaces, etc. 



215 



I claim : 

1. An alloy characterized by a high degree of hardness, 
toughness, and resistance to oxidation, and containing 
chromium 20 to 35 per cent., carbon 1.5 to 3 per cent., and 
silicon 0.0 to 3 per cent., the balance principally iron. 

l,2Jf&,621, Cooper {Assigned to Electro Metals Products 
Company) , Dec. 4, 1917 

This invention relates to an improvement in metal alloys, 
the object being to provide a new and useful substitute for 
platinum for use in the electrical art. Platinum is used 
extensively for contact points in induction coils, magnetos, 
master vibrators, and high-frequency apparatus, and a 
practical commercial substitute therefor must possess sub- 
stantially the same hard and wearing properties, high- 
melting point electrical conductivity, ductility and mallea- 
bility, and be non-oxidizing. I have discovered that these 
requirements are met by alloying gold and silver in sub- 
stantially equal proportions with a small percentage of 
another metal adapted to harden and raise the melting 
point thereof. The metals which may be added for this 
purpose may consist of osmium, niobium, rhodium, ruth- 
enium, palladium, cobalt, molybdenum, tantalum, chro- 
mium, tungsten, thorium, titanium, vanadium, zirconium, 
or a combination of these metals. Osmium is mentioned 
first as is preferred as about 4 per cent, of this metal in 
the alloy produces a fine hard metal which does not oxidize 
on the surface when used as an electrical contact. 
Specifically stated, an alloy consisting of 4 per cent, of osi- 
mium, 48 per cent, of silver, and 48 per cent, of gold, is 
characterized by a high melting point, great hardness, its: 
malleability and ductility so as to be easily worked, elec- 
trical conductivity similar to platinum, and by its low cost 
compared with platinum. The electrical conductivity of 
silver is rated at about 100, and gold 72, but I have dis- 
covered that a combination of gold and silver in approxi- 
mately equal proportions produces an alloy with an elec- 

216 



trical conductivity of only about 15, or about 1 point less 
than platinum. Where the proportions of gold or silver 
vary from the foregoing by an increase or decrease of 5 per 
cent, or more, the alloy is not especially suited for use as 
a contact for a magneto as the arc at the point of contact 
increases to such an extent that a regular series of sparks 
can not be obtained. 

The production of my improved alloy takes place pref- 
erably in an electric furnace and in an atmosphere free 
from oxidizing gases, and care must be exercised to have 
the metals free from impurities such as copper, silicon, etc., 
as these tend to oxidize, thus making the product useless 
for electrical purposes. 

I claim: 

1. A metal alloy consisting of gold, silver and osmium 
having a high melting point and great hardness and 
possessing ductile and malleable properties and an elec- 
trical conductivity similar to platinum. 

2. A metal alloy consisting of gold and silver in ap- 
proximately equal proportions and a relatively small per- 
centage of osmium. 

See U. S. Patent 1,248,648 on page 92. 
See U. S. Patent 1,252,038 on page 306. 

1,251,212, Laird (Assigned one-half to Leo B. Lincoln,), 

Feb. 19, 1918 

My invention or discovery consists in the production of 
a new electric resistance element composed of a metal 
which shall have the property of being particularly low 
in electric conductivity, have a melting point exceeding 
that of pure copper, and be capable of resisting oxidation 
at all temperatures and under all conditions to which it 
needs to be subjected, while at the same time possessing 
characteristics permitting it to be drawn or otherwise 

217 




worked to form strips, strands or filaments; whereby highly 
efficient and extremely durable resistance elements result. 

My invention or discovery consists simply in making an 
electric resistance element of an alloy of one or more of 
the members of the nickel group of metals (nickel, cobalt, 
and iron) with silicon. The addition of silicon to nickel, 
for example, raises the melting point of the latter and also 
the temperature at which oxidation will take place and at 
the same time lowers its electric conductivity, giving a re- 
sistance element very similar in essential characteristics 
to the nickel-chromium resistance material now so largely 
used. To make the material more ductile than it would 
otherwise be, cobalt may be added. While the nickel or 
nickel and cobalt alloys will ordinarily be preferable, iron, 
when alloyed with silicon will give excellent results, it be- 
ing necessary of course that the iron be pure so that it will 
not oxidize under ordinary atmospheric conditions; pure 
iron being practically non-oxidizable at ordinary tempera- 
tures and the addition of the silicon raising the melting- 
point so that oxidation at high temperatures does not be- 
come appreciable until a much higher temperature is 
reached than will be the case with the iron alone. 

The amount of silicon employed will vary according to 
the service to which the resistance material is to be put. 
In some cases the silicon content will amount to only a few 
per cent., while in others it may be as high as 24 per cent. 
Where the alloy is of nickel, cobalt and silicon, it may be 
stated as a general rule that the nickel content should be 
at least 75 per cent, of the whole. 

I claim: 

An electric resistance element formed of an alloy of 
nickel, cobalt and silicon and containing at least 75 per 
cent, of nickel. 



218 



1,268,495, S'andell (Assigned to Herbert 8. Mills), June 

k, 1918 

My invention relates to improvements in metal composi- 
tions. More particularly the invention is concerned with 
a metallic alloy comprising nickel and tungsten and con- 
taining a considerable percentage of carbon. I find that 
such a body has peculiar properties which render it 
specially desirable for use as a contact point for making 
and breaking electrical circuits. 

In order to prepare my new metallic substance the ap- 
paratus and procedure fully described in my prior patent 
No. 1,223,002, may conveniently be employed. In brief, the 
apparatus in question consists of a carbon block having a 
trough, or hollow, in its upper surface, which serves as the 
crucible for the production of the alloy. This crucible is 
heated by internally developed heat generated by the 
passage through its walls of an electrical current, which is 
preferably an alternating current. 

The metals to be alloyed, i. e., nickel and tungsten, each 
of which should be in a relatively pure state for the best 
results, are introduced into the crucible and the latter- 
raised to such a temperature as to cause them to fuse. 
Powdered amorphous carbon, or powdered graphitic car- 
bon is then introduced into the fused mass, the mass being 
preferably stirred with a carbon stirring- rod. I also find it 
of advantage to interrupt the current through the crucible 
at intervals. Within a very few minutes the molten mass 
within the crucible solidifies or -sets. The process is now at 
an end and the current may be turned off, the crucible per- 
mitted to cool and the block of metal composition removed 
therefrom. This block may then be machined, ground or 
otherwise fabricated to produce contact points, or other 
structural elements. 

Although I prefer to stir in finely divided amorphous 
carbon, or finely divided graphitic carbon, during the heat- 
ing of the metal within the crucible, this is not essential to 
the success of the process, since I find that the crucible 

219 



walls themselves are eaten away during the process, the 
carbon required for the composition being thus supplied 
to a large extent by the crucible itself. 

I find that by the process above described, I am able to 
produce a metal composition which is substantially homo- 
geneous throughout its mass and which upon analysis 
shows a percentage of carbon (by weight) of from 2% to 
7 per cent. For the manufacture of contact points I pre- 
fer to use for my metal composition siibstantially pure 
nickel and tungsten in about the proportions of 4 parts of 
nickel to 1 part of tungsten. The metal composition hav- 
ing these constituents I find to be superior to the com- 
position described in my prior application above referred 
to, in that it is considerably harder and has a longer life 
when used as a contact point and subjected to the arcing 
and sparking which is there met with. 

My new metal composition herein described possesses 
the peculiarities and advantages of the composition de- 
scribed in my prior application above referred to, and in 
addition is superior to the last-named composition in the 
respects pointed out. 

I claim : 

1. A metal composition comprising substantially an 
alloy of more than 50 per cent, of nickel and less than 50 
per cent, of tungsten carrying upward of 3 per cent, of un- 
combined carbon. 

2. A contact point for making and breaking electrical 
circuits and comprising substantially an alloy of more than 
50 per cent, of nickel and less than 50 per cent of tungsten 
carrying upward of 3 per cent, of uncombined carbon. 

3. A metal composition comprising substantially an 
alloy of 4 parts of nickel and 1 part of tungsten carrying 
upward of 3 per cent, of uncombined carbon. 

l,27J h 250, Driver, July 30, 1918 

My invention relates to a new and improved alloy for 
resistance elements, etc., and has for its object to produce 

220 



an alloy which has a high specific electrical resistance to- 
gether with a prolonged life under conditions of high tem- 
perature, so as to render it suitable for the making of re- 
sistance elements. 

My invention is based on the discovery that when 
titanium in substantial amounts is added to other metals, 
such as nickel, iron, copper, etc., or alloys of metals, it 
causes a marked increase in specific electrical resistance of 
the alloy so formed and produces an alloy which is extreme- 
ly resistant to oxidization, especially at high temperatures. 
From numerous experiments I have found that titanium 
is more powerful in these respects than chromium, and that 
titanium and chromium when simultaneously used as 
alloys with other metals, produce highly desirable results. 
I have also discovered that relatively large quantities of 
titanium can be used in alloys without making them too 
hard or too brittle to allow rolling and drawing. 

For the purpose of illustration I give below a list of 
alloys made according to my invention, together with the 
specific electrical resistance in michroms per cubic centi- 
meter of said alloys respectively. 













Man- 


Specific 




Nickel 


Chromium 


Titanium 


Iron 


ganese 


Resistance 


No. 1 


75% 


.... 


6% 


19% 




77 


No. 2 


68 


15% 


4 


11 


2% 


117 


No. 3 


65 




8 


27 




96 


No. 4 


65 




6 


19 


10 


106 


No. 5 . . . . 


60 


12 


1 


24 


3 


112 


No. 6 


60 


12 


6 


19 


3 


125 


No. 7 


40 


15 


6 


39 




112 


No. 8 


30 


10 


6 


54 




117 


No. 9 


30 


Copper 


6 


64 




100 


No. 10 


80 


10% 


O 




7 


48 


No. 11. . . . 


75 




8 




17 


57 


No. 12 ... . 


45 


45 


3 




7 


77 


No. 13 


94 




5 


1 


.... 


32 



221 



The percentages in the above table, while not exact, are 
approximately correct. The presence of titanium in each 
of these alloys increases the life at high temperatures of 
the metal or alloy to which it is added. 

The qualities imparted by the addition of titanium are 
particularly valuable in connection with resistance ele- 
ments used in electrical apparatus such as heaters, toast- 
ers and cooking appliances, where the resistance elements 
are subjected to high temperatures by the passage of elec- 
tric currents through them. These electrical resistance ele- 
ments may be of any ordinary form, such for instance as 
open helices or spirals. The form of the resistance ele- 
ment constitutes no part of my invention. 

I have discovered that titanium hardens the metals or 
alloys to which it is added so that the quantity of titanium 
that can be used is limited when it is necessary to retain 
such malleability and ductility as will permit the rolling or 
drawing of the alloy. The alloys above referred to are all 
sufficiently malleable and ductile so as to permit such 
rolling and drawing. 

The melting to form the alloy can be carried on in any 
approved manner, special care being exercised to prevent 
the introduction of carbon, either through the metals that 
are used or through contamination from the vessel in which 
the melting is done. Pure titanium is not commercially 
obtainable so far as I am aware. My experiments have 
been carried out with nickel- titanium and ferro-titanium. 
Even if pure titanium were available its melting point is 
so high that it would not be desirable to form an alloy 
directly from it. An alloy of one of the metals which is 
to form a substantial part of the final alloy should be used 
as a carrier for the titanium for the final melting, which is 
as low as possible in contained titanium as is compatible 
with the amount of titanium to be introduced, thereby pro- 
viding a low melting point and making easier its incorpo- 
ration into the final alloy. Owing to the relatively low 
specific gravity of titanium, there is a tendency of the 
titanium carrying alloy to rise to the surface of the melted 

222 



bath, and care should be used to make sure that it is en- 
tirely submerged so that it will be properly incorporated 
into the bath. 

Quantities of titanium as low as 1 per cent, are effective 
in increasing the electrical resistance of alloy containing 
it and in protecting the alloy against oxidization at high 
temperatures. This effect increases with the percentage of 
titanium added. The only use of titanium in connection 
with melted metal baths of which I am aware, has been 
for the purpose of cleansing steel by removing impurities 
therefrom, and in this connection only small fractions of 
1 per cent, have been found necessary or desirable. So 
far as I am aware, the quantity so used has been limited to 
less than y 2 of 1 per cent., so that in the finished product 
there remains no substantial amount of titanium and no 
amount which affects in any substantial degree the specific 
electrical resistance, life or hardness of the ultimate prod- 
uct. 

1 claim : 

1. A ductile and malleable alloy of high specific elec- 
trical resistance containing as a constituent at least 1 per 
cent, of titanium and over 20 per cent, of nickel, substan- 
tially as described. 

2. A ductile and malleable alloy containing as a con- 
stituent at least 1 per cent, of titanium and over 20 per 
cent, of nickel, substantially as described. 

3. A ductile and malleable alloy containing as, constitu- 
ents over 20 per cent, of nickel and at least 1 per cent, of 
titanium, substantially as described. 



223 



BRITISH PATENTS 

Class 3-A 

16,324 of 1984, Lecomber 

Non-oxidizable or difficultly oxidizable hard alloys, con- 
sist of 9 parts of gold, 1 of silver and 14 of copper, or 3 
parts of gold, three of iridium, and 4 of platinum. Nickel- 
cobalt, chromium, or palladium may be added. These 
alloys are very ductile. 

6,367 of 1886, Newton 

This patent describes white, hard, non-oxidizable alloys, 
having a small coefficient of expansion when heated. The 
alloys consist essentially of palladium, 72 per cent.; rho- 
dium, 1 per cent. ; platinum, 5 per cent. ; gold, 1.5 per cent. ; 
silver, 6.5 per cent. ; copper, 18.5 per cent. A number of 
other formulas embodying the use of nickel and steel, are 
given. These alloys are very ductile. Descriptions are 
given of the methods of working up the alloys. Several 
alloys without platinum are mentioned as, palladium, 70 
per cent. ; silver, 4 per cent, ; copper, 25 per cent. ; nickel, 
1 per cent., or palladium, 65 per cent. ; gold, 1 per cent. ; 
silver, 5 per cent. ; nickel, 4 per cent. ; copper, 25 per cent. 

11,940 of 1888, Ostermann 

A hard, ductile, non-oxidizable alloy consists of the fol- 
lowing metals: gold, 30 to 40 parts; palladium, 30 to 40; 
rliodium, 1/10 to 5 ; copper, 10 to 20 ; manganese 1/10 to 5 ; 
silver, 1/10 to 5, and platinum 1/10 to 5. 



224 



11,941 of 1888, Ostermann 

A hard, very ductile, non-oxidizable alloy, consists of the 
following metals : gold, 30 to 40 parts; palladium, 30 to 40 ; 
copper, 40 to 20 ; silver, 1/10 to 5 ; cobalt, 1/10 to 5 ; wol- 
fram, 1/10 to 5; rhodium, 1/10 to 5, and platinum 1/10 
to 5. The copper and wolfram are first melted, covered 
with powdered charcoal and the remaining ingredients are 
then added. 

U h 762 of 188$, Perret 

Ductile, non-oxidizable alloys consist of platinum and 
nickel, or iridio-platinum and nickel, to which a small 
quantity of silver is added, if a white alloy is required. 

See British Patent 9,050 of 1890, page 308. 
See British Patent 18,343 of 1890, page 308. 



19,770 of 189S, Boult 

Wires composed of alloys of platinum, iridium, rhodium, 
and palladium, are used in the construction of mantles for 
incandescent gas burners for lighting and heating. Where 
the gas burned has a pressure not exceeding 100 milli- 
meters, the warp wires may consist of 88 per cent, of plati- 
num; 10 per cent, of iridium, and 2 per cent, rhodium, and 
the wires may consist of 9 per cent, of platinum; 5 pe>* 
cent, of iridium ; 2 per cent, of rhodium, and 3 per cent, of 
palladium. Where the gas is under pressure, the wires are 
composed of 85 per cent, of platinum; 12 per ce^t. of 
iridium, and 3 per cent, of rhodium. 

See British Patent 21,170 of 1900, page 309. 

2,129 of 1906, Boult 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent No. 873,745 on page 12. 

8,859 of 1907, Boult 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 859,608 on page 159. 

225 



26,9^0 of 1901', British Thomson-Houston Co. . 

A refractory alloy suitable for use in electric resistances, 
contains nickel, iron, chromium and manganese, the nickel 
being in excess of the other constituents, traces of silicon, 
carbon, and phosphorus are also present. In making the 
alloy, nickel, high in carbon, is first melted in a clay -lined 
crucible with iron oxide as a reducing agent, silica and 
cryolite being used as a flux. When the carbon is elimi- 
nated the iron, chromium, and manganese are added sepa- 
rately, and the mixture is poured off before the manganese 
attacks the lining. 

This corresponds to U. S. Patent 926,980, page 163, 

See British Patent 26,380 of 1908, page 62. 



26,826 of 1908, British Thomson-Houston Co. 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 926,980, page 163. 



22,833 of 1909, Fleitman 

The incandescent mantle holders, protectors and the like 
parts of incandescent gas lamps of the ordinary upright 
and of the inverted type are exposed to very high tempera- 
tures while the lamps are lit so that the choice of material 
for these parts of the lamps is very restricted. 

Heretofore for the incandescent body supports of up- 
right incandescent lamps and for the supporting rings of 
inverted incandescent lamps, magnesium and similar sub- 
stances have usually been employed. These supports and 
rings have, however, very little strength and they are 
cracked very easily by the heat or they break in pieces 
when they are touched in any but the most careful way. 

In the manufacture of protectors as employed in lamps 
with inverted incandescent gas burners in railway 
carriages, for example, it is quite out of the question to 
employ magnesium, so that these protectors have hereto- 

226 



fore usually been stamped out of nickel, tin, or- iron. Such 
protectors, however, under the influence of the high tem- 
peratures quickly scale away. They become burnt through 
in a short time, or become very brittle and soft so that they 
break into pieces on being touched, no matter how lightly, 
and fall into bits even when gently shaken. 

The subject-matter of the present invention is the prep- 
aration of these lamp parts from a metal alloy which is 
thoroughly capable of withstanding the heat developed in 
an incandescent gas lamp and which permanently retains 
the strength peculiar to the metal, and it is not inclined 
to scale away. The metal alloy in question consists of a 
mixture of nickel and chromium which may contain up to 
20 per cent, of chromium. This chromium alloy, which is 
able, without injury, to contain additions of iron, man- 
ganese, carbon and other impurities, can be produced in 
the form of wire ribbon or sheet and can be worked by 
being rolled, hammered and pressed and the like and is 
similar to platinum in appearance. It has a high melting 
point with great strength and neither becomes soft in hot 
flames nor brittle, nor does it scale away or form laminae. 

Similar alloys have already been tried for the manufac- 
ture of electric resistances, this having been chiefly on ac- 
count of their high electric specific resistance. Now, al- 
though in this case it was recognized that the resistances 
by these alloys was materially higher than that of iron as 
regards the actions of atmospheric oxygen and at fairly 
high temperatures, yet the great lack of sensibility of these 
alloys to the permanent influence of incandescent gases 
remained unknown and has not been applied as in the case 
of the present invention since the behavior of the alloys 
in the case of the comparatively low temperatures of elec- 
tric resistance which .only now and then attain for a short 
time a red hot temperature, did not give any guarantee 
that such alloys would likewise be able permanently to 
stand the much higher temperatures maintained continu- 
ously for hours and days of incandescent gas at about from 
1000° to 2000° C. 

227 



Consequently exhaustive experiments were necessary in 
order to ascertain that such alloys are particularly ap- 
propriate for the manufacture of highly refractory lamp 
parts. 

6,2^0 of 1910, Krupp AM. Ges. 

An alloy for the manufacture of safe or steel chamber 
walls consists of steel to which is added such an amount 
of chromium, preferably not exceeding 40 per cent., that 
the alloy cannot be melted through by an oxyhydrogen, 
acetylene or the blowpipe flame. The amount of chromium 
present depends upon the amount of carbon in the alloy. 
The alloys may also contain tungsten or silicon. 

This corresponds to U. S. Patent 1,026,461, page 249. 

14,743 of 1910, British Thomson-Houston Go. 

An electric resistance alloy containing principally 
nickel, iron, and chromium as described in Specification 
No. 26,940/07 has a carbon content of from 0.1 to 0.4 per 
cent. 

See British Patent 16,177 of 1910 on page 105. 
See No. 29,723 of 1910 (corresponds to Reissue No. 13,- 
961 on page 274). 

10,657 of 1912, Gualtierotti 

An alloy consists of silicon with not more than 18 per 
cent, of a metal, such as iron, nickel, copper, or magnesium, 
and is cast in a mould which has movable parts to allow 
free contraction of the alloy when solidifying. The cast- 
ings may be in the form of rings, spirals or bars for use in 
rheostats, or as brushes for electric motors, or for singeing 
threads and cotton fabrics electrically. 

28,953 of 1912, Marino 

Cobalt silver alloys may contain 90 per cent, of cobalt 
and have a permanent lustre equal to that of silver. These 

228 



alloys and also nickel-platinum and lead-iron alloys may 
be deposited electrolytieally. 

It is also stated that an alloy of nickel and platinum will 
uot oxidize or become dull. 

13^13 of 1913, Pasel 

This invention relates to the manufacture of articles 
having parts of iron which are permanently or tempo- 
rarily subjected to a high temperature (about 700° to 
1000° C. ), and the object of the invention is to protect the 
iron parts against the injurious action of the oxidation, 
which takes place at such temperatures in the presence of 
air. 

For the manufacture of the iron parts, iron alloys are 
suitable which contain from 15 per cent, to 25 per cent, of 
chromium. In addition to chromium, the alloys may con- 
tain nickel. The effect of the nickel in such case is that 
the necessary minimum quantity of chromium required is 
smaller. Thus, for example, if the alloy contains 30 per cent, 
of nickel, 10 per cent of chromium is sufficient, and if the 
alloy contains 36 per cent, of nickel, 5 per cent, of chromium 
is sufficient. The nickel therefore possesses the property of 
being able to replace a portion of the chromium in its ac- 
tion on the power of resisting the formation of oxide. 

As a sphere of application of the invention there may be 
mentioned, for example, salt bath vessels for hardening fur- 
naces, protection pipes on pyrometers, also articles with 
iron parts fused into glass, as the iron parts even when 
fused into the glass are subjected to high temperatures and 
therefore to oxidation 

In the last mentioned case it is important that the alloys 
employed for the manufacture of the iron parts, possess 
the same coefficient of expansion as the glass. Such alloys 
«an be obtained if there be added about 36 per cent, of 
nickel to an iron-chromium alloy, which, according to 
the desired coefficient of expansion (which varies some- 
what for the different kinds of glass 1, contains from about 

229 



5 per cent, to 15 per cent, of chromium. As an example, it 
may be mentioned, that within the temperature limit of 
from 15° to 100° C, an alloy containing 36 per cent, of 
nickel and 8 per cent, of chromium has a coefficient of ex- 
pansion of 6.5 (10- 6 ) and an alloy containing 36 per cent, 
of nickel and 12 per cent, of chromium has a coefficient of 
expansion of 8.8 (10- 6 ). 

19,021 of 1913, British Thomson-Houston Co. 

A composite metal for making crucibles consists of an 
alloy of nickel and copper in which the nickel predomi- 
nates, united to one or both sides of a metal consisting 
mainly of iron by copper. The copper-nickel alloy which 
may be that known as "Monel" metal is connected to the 
iron or steel by melting intermediate layers of copper in a 
reducing or inert atmosphere which may be provided by 
hydrogen or by an electric vacuum furnace. A suitable 
sheet metal contains about 13 per cent, of manganese, or an 
alloy consisting of 77 per cent, of iron, 17 per cent, of 
nickel, 4 per cent, of chromium, and 2 per cent, of man- 
ganese may be used. 

8,270 of 1914, Joyce 

This invention relates to alloys of copper, nickel, and 
aluminium or of copper, nickel, aluminium and steel. 
Alloys of these metals have been proposed for various pur- 
poses. For example, an alloy intended for hardening alu- 
minium to which it was added in a fused state consisted 
of 2 to 6 parts by weight of copper, 1 to 3 nickel, 1 to 2 
fine cast steel and 1 aluminium. Another alloy contained 
89 to 98 per cent, copper and 11 to 2 per cent, nickel- 
aluminium, and in another the proportions by weight were 
150 to 250 nickel, 850 to 750 copper, and 1% to 1 alu- 
minium. 

Now, the object of this invention is to produce an im- 
proved alloy which is specially suitable for mounting dia- 
monds or for golf clubs and the like", and will not rust or 
tarnish when exposed to the air or moisture. 

230 



According to this invention the copper is alloyed with 
nickel, aluminium and steel or with nickel and aluminium 
only, substantially in the following proportions, three ex- 
amples being given below, of copper-nickel-steel-aluminium 
alloys in which the proportions are varied to some extent 
to give different degrees of ductility and tensile strength. 

I. II. Ill 

Copper 27i/ 2 % 35% 40% 

Nickel 65 50 45 

Steel 5 10 10 

Aluminium . 21£ 5 5 

I will now describe one method of preparing the im- 
proved alloy, although I would have it understood that I 
do not confine myself to this method to the exclusion of 
other methods within the scope of my invention. 

The copper is first reduced to melting point by means of 
any melting process and the nickel is then added to it un- 
til the desired proportion of copper and nickel are obtained. 
The steel is now added gradually and when these three 
metals have become alloyed, the aluminium is added, when 
a complete alloying of the metals takes place almost im- 
mediately, and the metal can be poured, giving a clean 
casting. 

The alloys can also be prepared in other ways to suit the 
fusing points of the constituent metals or the proportions 
employed in accordance with the methods easily followed 
in preparing alloys, for example, the least fusible metals 
may be melted first and the more fusible metals added 
afterwards or the different metals may be melted separately 
in different crucibles 

Aluminium, copper and nickel in the following propor- 
tions also yield a similar alloy to those described, that is 
in different crucibles 

Copper 80.5 

Nickel 17.06 

Aluminium 2.44 

231 



These alloys are nou-corrodible and do not char after 
subjection to great heat, and take a high polish. They ave 
more especially useful for mounting diamonds for use in 
industrial purposes such as emery trimming, boring 
crowns, diamond dies and the like, on account of their 
great tenacity and tensile strength ; the high coefficient of 
contraction in cooling serving to hold the diamond very 
firmly. 

They are also very suitable for golf clubs and for all 
purposes calling for metals of high tensile strength com- 
bined with ductility and capacity for resisting oxidation, 
under any usual condition generally producing those de- 
fects and deteriorations. 

106,397, Electrical Contacts, Rignon, G. A., 1911 

The contacts of magnetos are formed of tungsten, 
molybdenum, or other metal of the iron group electro- 
thermally welded to a suitable support and coated on its 
surfaces except at the contact points with a metalof high 
conductivity, such as copper or silver. 



232 



U. S. PATENTS 

Class 3-B. 

7,00$, Spratt, Jan, 8, 1850 

This invention relates to points for lightning conduc- 
tors. 

The nature of my invention consists of forming an alloy 
of the metals, etc., in the following proportion, namely: 
I fuse together 60 pounds of English block-tin, 5 pounds of 
oxide of tin, 14 pounds of antimony, 14 ounces of bismuth, 
8 pounds of refined silver, 2 ounces of platinum, and as 
much silex as the metals will take up. I arrange the 
metals, etc., in the melting-vessels as follows: I put the 
silex, when pulverized and mixed with a little potash to 
serve as a flux, at the bottom of the crucible, on the top 
of which I pour on the oxide of tin, to which I add the 
block-tin and bismuth. When any of the above assume a 
fluid state I add the antimony, and, lastly, when it has got 
its proper heat, I add the silver and platinum, the whole 
of which forms the said alloy for lightning-rod points. 

250,326, De VUliers, Nov. 29, 1881 

This relates to an inoxidizable alloy. The proportions 
in the alloy may be somewhat varied according to the pur- 
pose in view (provided the desired properties are ob- 
tained ) , but the following proportions are preferred : ( 1 ) 
80 parts by weight of tin, 18 of lead, and 2 of silver, or (2) , 
90 of tin, 9 of lead, and 1 of silver. The tin is first melted ; 
while it is thoroughly fused, the lead is added in a granu- 
lated state, and the mixture is slowly stirred, preferably 

233 



with a dry fir-wood rod. The silver, separately melted, 
is then likewise mixed with the compound. The fire under 
the melting pot is now quickly increased till the surface 
of the metal has a yellowish tinge. It is then rapidly 
stirred and run into ingot moulds. Stress is laid on the 
procedure adopted. 

The alloy produced will strongly adhere to iron and 
steel, and will impregnate them when they are prepared to 
receive it by a treatment described, whereby they are per- 
forated with almost infinitesimaJly small holes. Of the 
different metals employed, the tin imparts pliability to the 
alloy, the silver renders it hard, lustrous, and inoxidizable, 
and the lead increases its fluidity and power of percolation 
into the interstices and pores of iron and steel. 

The inoxidizable alloy may be applied to other metals 
and alloys capable of resisting the heat required, and 
sometimes it is made of tin and lead alone. The treatment 
of knife blades is described. 

367,15$, Paillard,July 26, 1887 

One object of my invention is to produce an alloy which 
shall be unoxidizable and non-magnetic. 

My alloy is composed of palladium, copper, and iron, 
in about the following proportions, viz. : Palladium, 60 to 
75 parts ; copper, 15 to 25 parts ; iron, 1 to 5 parts ; but said 
proportions or percentages may be somewhat varied with- 
out changing or affecting the essential characteristics or 
properties of the alloy to any appreciable extent. 

367,159, Paillard, July 26, 1887 

My invention relates to a metallic alloy, which will be 
unoxidizable and only slightly magnetic and dilatable. 

This alloy is composed of the following metals, in about 
the proportions stated, viz.: palladium, 50 to 75 parts; 
copper, 20 to 30 parts ; iron, 5 to 20 parts. 



234 



367J60, Paillard, July 26, 1887 

My invention relates to a metallic alloy which, will be 
non-magnetic, unoxidizable, and practically non-dilatable. 

This alloy is composed of the following named metals, 
combined in about the following proportions, viz. : palla- 
dium, 65 to 75 parts; copper, 15 to 25 parts; nickel, 1 to 
5 parts ; gold, 1 to 2% parts ; platinum, y 2 to 2 parts ; sil- 
ver, 3 to 10 parts ; steel, 1 to 5 parts, 

367,161, Paillard, July 26, 1887 

The object of my invention is to produce an alloy which 
will be unoxidizable and non-magnetic. 

This alloy is composed of the following metals, in about 
the proportions named, viz. : palladium, 45 to 50 parts ; sil- 
ver, 20 to 25 parts; copper, 15 to 25 parts; gold. 2 to 5 
parts; platinum, 2 to 5 parts; nickel, 2 to 5 parts; steel, 2 
to 5 parts. 

381,719, Ostermann & La Croix, Apr. 2k, 1<888 

A non-oxidizing alloy is made of the following : 

Gold 30 to 40 parts 

Palladium 25 to 35 parts 

Copper 30 to 40 parts 

Silver 1/10 to 1 part 

Tungsten 1 to 5 parts 

Cobalt V 2 to 2y 2 parts 

The tungsten is first melted with the copper and this 
combination is thus melted with the other metals. 

This alloy has the same hardness and elasticity as steel. 

384,709, Paillard, June 19, 1$88 

The object of my invention is to produce a non-magnetic 
inoxidizable metallic alloy which shall possess the quali- 
ties of steel. 

235 



The alloy which I have now invented is composed of the 
following metals, in about the proportions specified, viz. : 
palladium, 25 to 45 parts; copper, 30 to 60 parts; silver, 
5 to 20 parts ; steel, 2 to 5 parts. 

385,945, O'Hara et al, July 10, 1888 

A resilient, unoxidizable, and non-magnetic alloy is 
made of 80 parts of gold, 131/2 parts of nickel, 6 2/3 parts 
of platinum. 

385,946, O'Hara, July 10, 1888 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy or 
compound metal which shall be inoxidizable. 

Our improved alloy consists of a compound of platinum, 
copper, nickel, and gold in about the following propor- 
tions: platinum, from 75 to 90 parts; copper, 24 parts; 
nickel, 8 parts; gold, 6 parts. 

385,9J t 7, O'Hara et al, July 10, 1388 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy or 
compound metal which shall be inoxidizable. 

Our improved alloy consists of a compound of platinum, 
copper, nickel, and gold in about the following propor- 
tions: platinum, from 30 to 50 parts; copper, 30 parts; 
nickel, 10 parts; gold ; 10 parts. 

385 ,948 O'Hara, July 10, 1888 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy or 
compound metal which shall be inoxidizable. 

Our improved alloy consists of a compound of platinum, 
nickel, and copper in about the following proportions, viz. : 
platinum, 50 to 60 parts; nickel, 30 parts; copper, 20 parts. 

385,949, O'Hara et al, July 10, 1838 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy or 
compound metal which shall be inoxidizable. 

236 



Our improved alloy consists of a compound of platinum, 
copper, nickel, and gold in about the following propor- 
tions: platinum, from 60 to 75 parts; copper, 24 parts; 
nickel, 8 parts; gold, 8 parts. 

385.950, O'Hara, July 10, 1388 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy 
which shall be inoxidizable. 

Our improved alloy consists of a compound of platinum, 
copper, nickel, and gold in about the following propor- 
tions : platinum, 60 parts ; copper, 24 parts ; nickel, 10 
parts ; gold, from 5 to 20 parts. 

385.951, O'Hara, July 10, 1888 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy or 
compound metal which shall be inoxidizable. 

Our improved alloy consists in a compound of platinum, 
copper, nickel, and gold in about the following proportions, 
viz. : platinum, 62 parts; copper, 24 parts; nickel, 8 parts; 
gold, 6 parts. 

385.952, O'Hara et al., July 10, 1888 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy or 
compound metal which shall be practically inoxidizable. 

Our improved alloy consists of a compound of platinum, 
nickel, copper, and gold in about the following proportions : 
platinum, 50 parts; nickel, 20 parts; copper, from 5 to 40 
parts ; gold, 10 parts. 

385.953, O'Hara et al., July 10, 18S8 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy or 
compound metal which shall be inoxidizable. 

Our improved alloy consists of a compound of platinum, 
copper, nickel, and gold in about the following propor- 
tions: platinum, 60 parts; copper, 22 parts; nickel, from 5 
to 40 parts ; gold, 8 parts. 

237 



385.954, O'Hara et al, July 10, 1888 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy or 
compound metal which shall be inoxidizable. 

Our improved alloy consists of a compound of platinum, 
copper, nickel, and gold in about the following proportions : 
platinum, 75 parts ; copper, 10 parts ; nickel, 10 parts ; gold, 
from 10 to 40 parts. 

385.955, O'Hata et al, July 10, 1888 

Our invention has for its object to provide an alloy or 
compound metal which shall be inoxidizable. 

Our improved alloy consists of a compound of silver, 
zinc, tin, lead, arsenic, and cadmium in about the follow- 
ing proportions, viz. : silver, 60 parts; zinc, 35 to 60 parts; 
tin, 41/2 parts ; lead, 3V 2 parts ; arsenic, y 2 part ; cadmium, 
IV2 parts. 

388,145, Ostermann & LaCroiw, Aug. 21, 1888 

Our invention consists of a new metallic alloy intended 
to be used in place of steel, especially in manufacturing 
such parts of watches or chronometers which are liable to 
alter the good acting of the watch or chronometer when 
they get magnetized or oxidized. 

Our metallic alloy is composed of gold, palladium, rho- 
dium, copper, nickel, manganese, silver, and platine. Those 
metals are suitably combined together in the following- 
proportions : 30 to 45 parts of gold ; 20 to 30 paints of palla- 
dium; 0.1 to 5 parts of rhodium; 10 to 20 parts of copper; 
1 to 10 parts of nickel; 0.1 to 5 parts of manganese; 0.1 to 
5 parts of silver, and 0.1 to 2.5 parts of platine. 



388,146, Ostermann & LaCroix, Aug. 21, 1888 

Our invention consists of a new metallic alloy intended 
to be used in place of steel, especially in manufacturing 
such parts of watches or chronometers which are liable to 
alter the good acting of the watch or chronometer when 

238 



they get magnetized or oxidized, especially in manufactur- 
ing balance-wheels and spiral springs for watch- escape- 
ments. 

Our metallic alloy is composed of gold, palladium, rho- 
dium, copper, manganese, silver, and platine. Those 
metals are suitably combined together in the following pro- 
portions : gold, 30 to 40 parts ; palladium, 30 to 40 parts ; 
rhodium, 0.1 to 5 parts; copper, 10 to 20 parts; manganese, 
0.1 to 5 parts; silver, 0.1 to 5 parts; and platine, 0.1 to 5 
parts. 



408,130, Ostermann & LaCroix, July 30, 1889 

The invention is a new metallic alloy to be used in place 
of iron or steel in the manufacture of articles which must 
be inoxidizable and not influenced by magnetism. 

The said alloy is composed of nickel, chromium, plati- 
num, copper, lead, zinc, and tin. These metals are pref- 
erably combined in the proportions set forth below and in 
the following manner; An alloy is first made of nickel 
and chromium by melting the two metals together. An- 
other alloy is made of platinum, copper, lead, zinc, and tin, 
and then the two* alloys are melted together. The metals 
employed are in the following proportions: 1 to 80 per 
cent, of nickel; 1 to 30 per cent, of chromium; 0.1 to 20 
per cent, of platinum ; 0.1 to 50 per cent, of copper; 0.05 to 
15 per cent, of zinc; 0.1 to 1.5 per cent, of lead; 0.05 to 0.5 
per cent, of tin. 



420,598, Oolay, Feb. 4, 1890 

My composition is non-magnetic and inoxidizable. 

The alloy is composed of about 40 per cent, platinum, 
about 35 per cent, copper, and of about 25 per cent, nickel, 
and this is preferably used with an external band of an 
alloy composed of about 55 per cent, silver, about 35 per 
cent zinc, and of about 10 per cent, copper. 

239 



467,329, Miles, Jan. 19, 1892 

My invention relates to an alloy which is a new and use- 
ful alloy that is entirely non-oxidizing and will not rust. 

The same consists in the combination of the following 
named metals, to wit : osmium, iron or steel, tungsten 
( metallic ) , manganese nickel and aluminium. 

The proportions in which the above-named metals are 
combined in manufacturing the desired articles are en- 
tirely optional, and depends wholly upon the nature of 
the article to be produced in order to accommodate the 
strength of the alloy to the qualities of said article. 

> t 85423, O'Neill, Nov. 1, 1892 

This invention has relation to an improvement in metal- 
lic alloys; and the principal object of the invention is to 
produce an alloy of exceedingly-high electrical resistance, 
which, being manufactured in wire or strip form, will pre- 
sent a conductor which by virtue of this high resistance 
will evolve from a given electrical current a greater 
amount of heat than, it is believed, has yet been obtained 
by means of the metallic conductor or wires heretofore 
employed. It is also designed to produce in this alloy a 
material which will resist oxidizing influences, and which, 
while it has great tensile strength, will possess anti-fusion 
properties, so as to withstand intense heat. 

This alloy is principally designed for use in the form of 
wire in the construction of electrical-heating apparatus, 
rheostats, and other electrical appliances of character re- 
quiring a conductor of this nature. 

For this alloy I take 8 parts of a composition consisting 
of 92 per cent, of copper, 7 per cent, of tin, and 1 per cent, 
of diatomaceous earth or silicon. To these 8 parts of the 
composition described I add 6 parts of nickel and 3 parts 
of zinc. These materials or ingredients are reduced in a 
crucible and cast in a bar, which may be by ordinary 
means drawn into wire form, this being the principal form 
in which this alloy will be manufactured. 

240 



For the purposes of producing in the alloy greater duc- 
tility without lessening the resistance I may sometimes 
add to the alloy a little platinum — say about 1 per cent. 

533,970, Susini et al., Feb. 12, 1895 

The object of the invention is the production of a quater- 
nary alloy constituting, so to speak, a new metal which has 
absolutely new physical and chemical properties. 

This alloy is mainly characterized by very great mechan- 
ical resistance to tension, shock and compression ; also by 
its beautiful golden color and by its superior inoxidizabil- 
ity. It moreover, is capable of being rolled with the ut- 
most facility, either cold or hot, to all thicknesses. It may 
be moulded with ease to great thinness without presenting 
blowholes in sand, metal or other moulds. Having great 
resistance and a high ductility it may be extended to capil- 
lary diameters. It may be forged like iron with facility 
and may therefore be adapted to the manufacture of most 
delicate and complicated objects. Its malleability, ductil- 
ity and elasticity are those of metals possessing these quali- 
ties in the highest degree. It may be drawn out in tubes of 
all diameters and thicknesses, either hot or cold, and may 
be stamped or embossed, for any mechanical or artistic 
purpose like gold, silver, copper, brass, etc. According to 
its degree of hammer hardening or annealing it may be 
elongated to from 3 to 40 per cent. 

This new quaternary alloy possesses elasticity and. re- 
sistance equal to those of the best steels, together with duc- 
tility, malleability elongation equal to those of copper, 
brass, gold and silver. Owing to these properties it may 
with advantage take the place of all the metals usually em- 
ployed in most of the industrial applications beginning 
with steel and iron, including copper, brass, bronze and in- 
cluding also most precious metals and their alloys. 

The new alloy is composed of copper, aluminium, tung- 
sten and phosphorous. The composition being always the 
same it may, nevertheless, vary according to the quantities 

241 



of the several component bodies, such variations depend- 
ing upon the degree of resistance to elongation, ductility 
and malleability sought to be obtained to answer the pur- 
poses for which it is intended and which allows of the pro- 
duction of metals according to a scale of numbers corre- 
sponding to the most varied uses. 

We have found that by varying the composition, quanti- 
tatively, the following eight fundamental types may be ob- 
tained : 

First. — Copper, 90 per cent. ; aluminium, 5 per cent, 
tungsten, 414 per cent. ; phosphorous, y 2 per cent. 

Second. — Copper, 89 per cent. ; aluminium, 6 per cent, 
tungsten, £i/ 2 per cent. ; phosphorous, y 2 per cent. 

Third. — Copper, 88 per cent.; aluminium, 7 per cent, 
tungsten, 4% per cent. : phosphorous, y 2 per cent. 

Fourth. — Copper, 87 per cent. ; aluminium, 8 per cent, 
tungsten, 414 P er cent. ; phosphorous, V 2 per cent. 

Fifth. — Copper, 86 per cent. ; aluminium, 8 per cent, 
tungsten, hy 2 per cent. ; phosphorous, y 2 per cent. 

Sixth. — Copper, 85 per cent. ; aluminium, 9 per cent, 
tungsten, 5% per cent. ; phosphorous, y 2 per cent. 

Seventh. — Copper, 83 per cent. ; aluminium, 10 per cent, 
tungsten, 6V2 per cent. : phosphorous, V 2 per cent. 

Eighth. — Copper, 95 per cent. ; aluminium, 3 per cent, 
tungsten, \y 2 per cent. ; phosphorous y 2 per cent. 

We proceed in the manner as follows : First, the opera- 
tion consists in combining the tungsten with copper. To 
effect this without employing pure metallic tungsten, 
which is very costly and difficult to obtain, we resort to the 
direct reduction of tungstiferous ore by electrolytic copper, 
chemically pure, in the presence of carbon (charcoal) in a 
brasque crucible highly treated in a crucible furnace. We 
then obtain a metallic mass containing 50 per cent, of cop- 
per and 50 per cent, of tungsten, alloyed with traces of 
other metals which happened to be in the ore, which, how- 
ever, do not injure the composition. Second, the alloy thus 

242 



obtained is put in a crucible with a quantity of copper 
necessary to produce with it one of the eight above men- 
tioned compositions. Third, when the compound is melted 
at white-red heat and intimately mixed, we add the quan- 
tity of aluminium indicated in the formula. Fourth, the 
aluminium melts immediately. The mass is then given an- 
other good stirring and finally to it is added one-half of a 
per centum of phosphorous which refines it, frees it from 
all impurities which will gather on the surface of the bath, 
whence it may be removed and poured at cherry heat into 
sand or other suitable ingot moulds. The unmoulding may 
be effected immediately and the bars, plates, or other form 
of castings are ready at once for further manipulations of 
rolling, drawing, forging, etc. 

The new quaternary alloy herein described, composed of 
copper, aluminium, tungsten and phosphorous, and having 
the characteristics referred to, is known as "cyrnium." 

See U. S. Patent 573,615, page 74. 



577,851, Had field, March 2, 1897 



This invention relates to a new alloy of iron. 

The constituents of the alloy are iron, manganese, nickel, 
and carbon, the quaternary alloy formed being very differ- 
ent in its characteristics from the ternary alloy of iron, 
carbon, and manganese. 

In practising my invention I have found the following 
proportions to be productive of good results when malle- 
ableness is desired : To 79 pounds of decarburized and 
desiliconized iron I add 6 pounds of 80 per cent, ferro- 
manganese and 15 pounds of nickel, the resulting steel or 
malleable alloy of iron containing about 0.65 per cent, 
carbon, 5 per cent, manganese, and 14 per cent, nickel. 

A ternary alloy of iron, carbon up to 1.5 per cent, and 
from 3 to 8 per cent, of manganese, is slightly magnetic, 
hard, has high thermal and electrical resistance, but it 

243 



cannot be machined, and its field of usefulness is thereby 
exceedingly limited. 

The quaternary alloy embodying my invention possesses 
wholly new properties, as the addition of the nickel actually 
increases the thermal and electrical resistance and renders 
it capable of being machined, while making it practically 
non-magnetic. It possesses a high elastic limit, much 
higher than mild steel. Its hardness varies according to 
the percentages of the constituents, but the alloy contain- 
ing about 5 per cent, manganese and 14 per cent, nickel can 
be readily machined. 

692,198, Gesner, Jan.. 28, 1902 

An alloy of iron and hydrogen is disclosed in U. S. Pat- 
ents Nos. 604,580, 642,320 and 640,775. 

To give this alloy the strength and hardness of cast iron, 
20 parts of copper are added to 79.89 parts of iron and 
0.11 parts of hydrogen. 

Tin may sometimes be added, beginning at 2 per cent. 

This alloy has very high resisting power to oxidation by 
the atmosphere, moisture, etc. 

952J290, Whitney (Assigned to General Electric Company) , 
March 15, 1910 

My invention comprises an alloy of iron and boron, 
which may be termed a boron-steel, possessing electrical 
properties, especially adapting it for use in electrical ap- 
paratus, such as transformer plates. 

It is well-known in the electrical art when iron is 
traversed by a varying magnetic field there occur certain 
losses of energy, which reappear as heat. These losses, 
known as "core losses." are due to eddy, or Foucault, cur- 
rents and to hysteresis effects. Even when the iron cores 
are laminated to suppress the eddy currents as far as pos- 
sible, the core loss through eddy currents and hysteresis is 
considerable, and increases in degree during the use of 
the apparatus. It is, of course, most desirable to reduce 

' 244 



this loss to the lowest possible limit. Iron, to be used for 
magnetic purposes, must not only be strong and of high 
magnetic permeability ; but must be of such quality as to 
give a minimum "core loss." Such iron should have a high 
electrical resistance, at the same time retaining the desir- 
able mechanical and electrical properties before mentioned. 

I have found that the addition of the elements boron 
or beryllium increases the resistivity of iron to a. high de- 
gree, at the same time improving its mechanical properties, 
making a valuable alloy for the above-mentioned purposes. 

According to my belief, the resistivity of iron is increased 
by the presence of alloying elements, to a degree inversely 
to their atomic weights, because of the increased number 
of molecules furnished by an element of low atomic weight 
per uint weight of alloy. In other words, a given weight of 
alloy, containing given percentages of iron and an alloy- 
ing element, will have a higher resistance if the atomic 
weight of the alloying element is low, as a given percentage 
of the element introducs a relatively greater number of 
molecules than the same percentage of an element of higher 
atomic weight. 

The novel features of my invention are pointed out in 
the appended claims. 

In making my high resistance alloy, I melt a mixture 
of commercially pure steel and a suitable portion of 
"ferro-boron" in a fire-clay crucible as commonly used in 
the crucible steel process. "Ferro-boron" is an alloy or 
mixture of iron and boron containing a relatively high per- 
centage of boron, for example, as high as 30 per cent, boron. 
Ferro-boron is a well-known product and may be pur- 
chased in the market. The proportion of boron in the high- 
resistance alloy may vary from about 0.2 per cent, to 5 
per cent, boron, but for most purposes the lower limit of 
boron content is preferable. The percentage of boron in 
the finished product may readily be controlled by analyz- 
ing the ferro-boron and calculating the amount of ferro- 
boron to be added necessary to give the desired percentage 
in the finished product. The steel should preferably be as 

245 



free as possible from sulphur, phosphorous or other in- 
gredients. After a thorough mingling and alloying of the 
iron and boron, or beryllium, the molten mass is cast into 
ingots and subsequently rolled into desired form by any 
well-known means. The melting, casting and mechanical 
treatment of the steel being similar to that given any 
crucible steel, is so well known as to need no description. 

I claim : 

A new article of manufacture for use in electrical ap- 
paratus, consisting of sheet steel containing boron in 
amounts varying from 0.2 per cent, to 5 per cent. 

963,123, Dempster (Assigned to General Electric Com- 
pany), July 5, 1910 

This invention relates to alloys for electrical purposes 
and has for its object the production of a material having 
a relatively high specific resistance, which may be easily 
rolled, drawn, or otherwise formed into desired shape. 

One of the objects of my invention is to produce a re- 
sistance material suitable for use in rheostats and the like. 

In my previous Patent No. 901,428, I have disclosed a 
resistance conductor having a resistivity of about seventy 
times that of copper. This material will withstand a red 
heat continuously, and under this condition will oxidize 
very slowly. This material is extremely satisfactory for 
certain purposes, such as electric heaters, where a very 
high resistance is desired and where it is desired that a 
high temperature be employed for considerable intervals. 
This-wire is, however, rendered relatively expensive by the 
fact that it is extremely hard and therefore difficult to 
draw and roll. For certain purposes, as for instance, in 
rheostat work, a resistance conductor is desirable which 
does not have quite such a high specific resistance and 
which may oxidize more readily than that described in the 
patent above referred to. I have found that by greatly in- 
creasing the amount of iron and reducing both the nickel 

246 



and the chromium, I can produce a resistance material suit- 
able for this purpose. The iron content should be more 
than 50 per cent., while the iron and nickel together should 
constitute more than 80 per cent, of the alloy. The follow- 
ing composition, however, has given very good results: 
iron, 70 to 75 per cent. ; nickel, 20 per cent. ; chromium, 
6 to 3 per cent. ; manganese, 4 to 2 per cent. In this com- 
position, the main body of the alloy is iron and nickel, 
since they constitute from 90 to 95 per cent, of the whole 
content, while the chromium and manganese constitute 
from 5 to 10 per cent, of the content. Wire made from 
this alloy is found to have approximately twice the resist- 
ance of German silver, and may be produced at a cost 
which is considerably less than that of German silver. The 
metal may be drawn and rolled as easily as soft iron, and 
a uniform product may be produced at a very low cost. 

I have described my alloy as being composed of specific 
materials combined in definite proportions in accordance 
with the patent statutes, but it is obvious that the ma- 
terials and proportions may be modified without departing 
from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set 
forth in the annexed claim. 

I claim : 



An electrical resistance conductor comprising iron, 
ickel, chromium and manganese, 
more than 50 per cent, of the alloy. 



nickel, chromium and manganese, the iron constituting 



1,025,131. Donnell, Maij 7, 1912 

The object of the present invention is, to provide an 
alloy from which to make plates to be used in the construc- 
tion of the walls or other parts of safes, having such prop- 
erties that the operation of perforating them, and es- 
pecially by the use of a torch, will be hindered and delayed 
as much as possible, so as to make it practically impossible 
of accomplishment within the time ordinarily available 
under the circumstances of a burglary. 

247 



To this end the invention consists in the improved alloy 
to be used in the making of plates adapted to be used in 
constructing or making the door or the wall of a safe, or to 
be incorporated therein, that will resist destruction by the 
action of a torch or an electric carbon pencil to the extent 
indicated. In selecting the materials for the alloy form- 
ing the plate, the principal properties to be considered are 
fusibility, conductivity of heat and electricity and ductil- 
ity, as the successful carrying out of the invention depends 
upon the resultant of these properties. More specifically 
stated the carrying out of the invention depends upon pre- 
venting the fusing or melting of the plate under the con- 
ditions available in a burglary. 

As between, say, pure iron and copper, the iron is less 
fusible, %. e., requires a more intense heat to fuse it, than 
the copper, and if this property only were considered the 
iron would be the preferable of the two, for the purposes 
of the invention, but the heat or electric conductivity of 
copper is much greater than that of iron — so much greater 
that in carrying out the invention, copper is more effective. 
This is because when the small flame of the torch is directed 
against a small localized spot of the plate, if the plate is 
wholly of iron the heat or electricity is conducted off very 
slowly and the fusing point of the iron at said spot is 
quickly reached and the plate destroyed, whereas if the 
plate is wholly of copper the heat of the torch or a current 
of electricity is conducted away so rapidly that the copper 
itself does not reach the fusing point, even at the small 
localized spot against which the flame or current plays. 
So it is with steel, instead of pure iron. But it is different 
with cast iron, which is not an elementary material, but 
a compound containing iron and other materials in a free 
state which are good conductors. Pure iron is difficultly 
fusible and a poor conductor of heat or electricity, but if 
it contains also a sufficient quantity of some other material 
that is a good conductor of heat, the compound — the cast 
iron — becomes a good conductor of heat as well as having 
a high fusing point. For example, white cast iron and 

248 



gray oast iron containing graphitic carbon in a free state 
have been found to be effective in carrying out the inven- 
tion, the necessary heat or electrical conductivity being 
due to the presence of free graphitic carbon in the cast 
iron. There are many materials known to possess these 
properties to a greater or less degree, and many of them 
could be used in carrying out the invention, but, of course, 
in order to be successful from a commercial point of view, 
the cost must be taken into consideration. There are many 
materials on the market that are suitable, but it is not 
necessary for the purpose of this application to attempt a 
recital of all of them. Suffice it to say that because of its 
low cost, its great resistance to fusion, and its good con- 
ductivity of heat, gray cast iron is the preferred material 
for making the plate. 

In the preferred, practical carrying out of the invention 
the plates are made of an alloy containing about 80 per 
cent, of gray cast iron, about 20 per cent, of copper, which 
latter adds to the conductivity as well as the ductility of 
the plates, and a small proportion ( say 8/10 of 1 per cent. ) 
of platinum, which still further adds to the conductivity 
and ductility of the alloy and also to its resistance to 
fusion, and this alloy is worked up into plates of the de- 
sired thickness, which may be used in any desired manner 
in the construction of safes. They may be used for making 
the walls of the door, in whole or in part, or they may be 
incorporated in the walls or door of whatever construction. 
In fact the invention resides in the alloy itself and the 
plates made from it may be used in any manner desired by 
the builder. 

I claim : 

An alloy containing cast iron, copper, and platinum in 
the proportions of about 80 per cent, cast iron, about 20 
per cent, copper and about 8/10 of 1 per cent, platinum. 



24 !> 



1,026Ji61, Schilling (Assigned to Fried. Erwpp Aktiem- 
gesellschaft) , May Up, 1912 

The present invention relates to a safe or steel-vault wall 
which cannot be melted through by the blow-pipe flame of 
oxyhydrogen gas, acetylene, etc. 

It is old to employ a special kind of cast iron for the pro- 
duction of such walls. However, in that case, it is neces- 
sary to take into account the disadvantage of brittleness in- 
cident to all cast irons. 

The object of this invention is to remove this disadvan- 
tage. This object is attained by using an iron-carbon alloy 
having the composition of the steel to which is added a 
sufficient amount of chromium. 

The smaller the carbon content is the greater must 
the chromium content be. In alloys which, aside from the 
chromium, contain no other addition affecting the resist- 
ance of the alloy against melting the minimum content of 
chromium must be about 6.5 per cent, for 0.7 per cent. C, 
about 5.5 per cent, for 1.0 per cent C, about 4.3 per cent, 
for 1.4 per cent. C, about 4.0 per cent, for 2.0 per cent. C. 

Generally the necessary minimum content of chromium 
amounts to 

5.42 

% 

if C indicates the percentage of carbon. 

Under certain circumstances it is preferable to add tung- 
sten (W) or silicon besides chromium (Cr). In both in- 
stances the required minimum content of the chromium 
becomes smaller. As silicon is cheaper than chromium the 
alloy can be made at less cost when an addition of silicon 
is used. The addition of tungsten further offers the special 
advantage that the alloy becomes naturally hard if the con- 
tent of chromium is not too small. This property is 
possessed, for instance, by an alloy which contains more 
than 1 per cent. C, 9 per cent. Cr and 3 per cent. W. 

250 



I claim : 

1. A safe or steel-vault wall made from an iron-carbon 
alloy having the composition of steel and containing such 
a high amount of chromium, that it cannot be melted 
through by the blow-pipe flame of oxhydrogen gas. 

2. A safe or steel- vault wall made from an iron- carbon 
alloy having the composition of steel and containing such 
a high amount of chromium and tungsten, that it cannot 
be melted through by the blow-pipe flame of oxhydrogen 
gas. 

1,04-1,562, Nudge ( A ssigned to the Cutler-Hammer Manu- 
facturing Company) , Nov. 19, 1912 

My invention relates to improvements in electric resist- 
ances and the process of making the same. It applies more 
particularly to that form of resistance which is known in 
the art as "grid" resistance. 

According to my invention I employ an alloy of iron 
and aluminium to make grid resistance I find that the 
addition of a definite amount of aluminium to iron, no 
matter in what proportions the elements of the iron may 
be combined, results in an alloy the specific resistance of 
which is much greater than that of cast iron itself. The 
aluminium may be combined with the iron in various pro- 
portions. I have found, however, that if the alloy contains 
between 2 per cent, and 4 per cent, aluminium, it will have 
very desirable physical and electrical properties. In prac- 
tising my invention I have obtained very satisfactory re- 
sults from such a composition as follows: 

Carbon 4.2% 

Aluminium 2.5% 

Silicon 2.4% 

Iron 90.9% 

100.0% 

251 



Iii this composition the iron contained traces of man- 
ganese, phosphorous, and sulphur, as is found in all foun- 
dry irons, but in such small quantities that the exact per 
cent, was not determined. Grids made from an alloy of 
the above composition had 100 per cent, greater specific 
resistance than those made from ordinary cast iron. The 
smaller the cross-section of the convolutions of the grids, 
the better are the results, as it is a fact that the specific- 
resistance of the alloy, when the alloy is cast in large cross- 
section, is somewhat lower than when the alloy is cast in 
small cross-section. Moreover, the specific resistance of 
the alloy is greater when the grids are cooled slowly. 

If 2 per cent, aluminium be added to any specimen of 
cast iron, the resulting alloy will have at least 30 per cent, 
greater specific resistance than the cast iron itself. 

I prefer that the alloy should have over 4 per cent, car- 
bon or as much carbon as is possible. Of course, the vari- 
oiis proportions of the elements in the alloy may be varied 
under different circumstances. It should be understood 
that I do not limit myself in any way to the proportions 
which I have specified as these proportions may be differ- 
ent and still produce the results which I seek. 

I claim : 

1. An electrical resistance formed from an alloy con- 
taining high carbon iron and aluminium. 

2. An electrical resistance formed from an alloy con- 
taining aluminium, silicon and high carbon iron. 

. 1,044,761. Duke, Nov. 19, 1912 

This invention relates to alloys and has for its object 
to provide an alloy having the merits and advantages of 
nickel silver and similar alloys without the many objec- 
tionable qualities due to their zinc content. 

One alloy, remarkable for its cheapness, beautiful silver 
white color, splendid polish, softness, malleability, duc- 
tility and resistance to vegetable acids and oxidation (es- 

252 



pecially when its large iron content, over 50 per cent., is 
considered) . is composed of the metals in the following pro- 
portions : 

Or parts 

Vols. by weight 

Iron 12 92.40 

Copper 6 53.52 

Nickel 4 35.20 

One volume of aluminium or 2.56 parts by weight are 
added during the process of melting a residuum of this 
metal varying from 1 to 2*4 parts by weight is left in the 
alloy, about a 4 part by weight being lost with each re- 
melting. 

Where hardness of the alloy is not objectionable or is 
advantageous I may add from 1 to 2 per cent, of tin. 

I do not bind myself to the exact proportions here 
enumerated, but I keep the iron content between 40 and 52 
per cent, by weight. By reducing the nickel and iron 
content below the content given in the example an alloy 
can be obtained which is harder, but more liable to become 
tarnished and oxidized and not of the desired color. The 
aluminium content may also be slightly varied, an increase 
in aluminium producing a harder and a decrease a softer 
alloy. I may also substitute magnesium manganese, phos- 
phorous, sodium potassium, or any other suitable deoxi- 
dizing agent in place of or as an auxiliary to the alu- 
minium. 

I claim : 

An alloy of iron, copper, nickel and a metallic deoxidiz- 
ing agent having an iron content varying between 40 and 
52 per cent, by weight, and a residual portion of about 
Y 2 to iy 2 per cent, by weight of the metallic deoxidizing 
agent. 



253 



1,051,155, Marsh (Assigned to Hoskins Manufacturing 
Company), April 1, 1913 

My invention relates to an electrical resistance element 
adapted for general use, but more especially for use in 
heating appliances. For this use, the first requirement 
is durability, and it js with the greatest diifficulty that 
durability can be predetermined, although it can readily 
be discovered by actual test. 

I have discovered by test that in general metals of the 
eighth group, fourth series, of the elements as classified 
by Mendelejeff in the periodic system of elements (that is, 
iron, cobalt and nickel), when alloyed with silicon, give 
rise to materials having the property of great durability 
under the conditions of use. 

In practice, I prefer to use the metal nickel, alloyed with 
silicon in the proportion of about 5 per cent, of silicon. I 
have succeeded in rolling alloys running as high as 7 per 
cent, silicon with nickel, although the alloy is so hard as 
to interfere somewhat with the facility of the operation. 
The art of rolling and drawing metals is advancing rapidly, 
however, and it is probable that higher percentages can be 
rolled in the future as the art develops. 

Cobalt is generally interchangeable with nickel for the 
purpose intended, as I have determined by long experience 
and testing resistance elements of various compositions. 
The principal difference between the two consists in the 
fact that cobalt alloys work easier hot and nickel alloys 
work easier cold. Iron, when alloyed alone with silicon, 
in the proportions mentioned, or in fact in any proportions 
where the silicon shows its effects in increasing durability, 
is so brittle that I have not succeeded in rolling it, but mix- 
tures of iron with cobalt or nickel, or both can be worked 
readily when alloyed "with silicon in the proportions named. 
In fact, the difference between the three metals — iron, co- 
balt and nickel — when alloyed with silicon for the purpose 
intended, lies principally in the ease with which a resist- 
ance element can be manufactured from them, and not 

254 



those properties inherent in the alloy which become im- 
portant in the use of the element. 

My preferred element, formed as above mentioned, has 
a resistivity of approximately 37 microhms per centimeter 
cube, which is quite high enough for convenient manufac- 
ture of translators, although not as high as some elements 
available on the market and, although I have not tested the 
resistivity of all the mixtures possible of the several metals 
specified, it is highly probable that the mixtures of the 
metals iron, nickel and cobalt, or some of them, when al- 
loyed with silicon in the percentages named, will give still 
higher resistances. For instance, nickel alloys in which 
the nickel is 30 per cent, are known to give resistivities of 
approximately S5 michroms per centimeter cube, and while 
the addition of the silicon will greatly augment the 
durability of such an alloy, as I have discovered, it doubt- 
less will not greatly decrease the resistivity, and may 
somewhat increase it It will, of course, be understood 
that deoxidizers, such as manganese, may be used, in addi- 
tion to the metals herein specified, for its ordinary pur- 
poses, and I find that when added in a slight excess, it does 
not injuriously affect the alloy or the element formed 
therefrom, but on the contrary, a slight excess when added 
to the nickel silicon alloy makes working easier. However, 
with the cobalt silicon alloy I do not find it necessary to 
use the excess manganese. 

I claim : 

1. An electric resistance element composed of metal of 
the eighth group, fourth series, Mendelejeff's table, and 
silicon. 

2. An electric resistance element composed of metal of 
the eighth group, fourth series, Mendelejeff's table, and 
silicon, the silicon in the quantity of approximately 5 per 
cent. 

3. An electric resistance element formed of an alloy of 
nickel and silicon. 

255 



1,190,652, Henderson (Assigned to Driver-Harris Wire 
Company) , July 11, 1916 

My invention relates to improvements in articles of man- 
ufacture which are subjected, when in use, to external heat 
at high temperatures., such temperatures ranging from 
1000° F. upward. 

It has for its object to produce an article which shall 
be strong and durable and capable of resisting injurious 
corrosion, pitting and oxidation at such temperatures to 
a remarkable extent. 

It also has for its object to produce articles which, when 
in use, will have remarkable qualities as hereinafter speci- 
fied. 

My invention relates to such cast articles as moulds for 
die casting and other uses, valves and valve seats for in- 
ternal combustion engines, crucibles, outer casings for 
crucibles, linings for moulds and crucibles, annealing- 
boxes, case hardening or carburizing boxes, articles includ- 
ing tables, moulds, plungers and conveyors for use in the 
working of glass and other massive articles, and consists of 
forming such articles from an alloy containing nickel or 
cobalt and chromium in certain proportions. The alloy re- 
quires a very high melting heat, but when once sufficiently 
melted can be cast in the ordinary manner. 

In carrying out my invention I use an alloy contain- 
ing from 5 to 30 per cent, of chromium and from 50 to 90 
per cent, of nickel (or cobalt), the combined nickel (or 
cobalt) and chromium being at least 60 per cent, and the 
greater part of the remainder being of iron. The following 
is the preferred composition of the alloy used in carrying- 
out my invention, viz., nickel, 60 per cent. ; iron, 26 per- 
cent. ; chromium, 12 per cent. ; manganese, 1% per cent. 
When the article is to be machined the alloy should be sub- 
stantially carbon-free, the carbon not exceeding 0.40 per 
cent. Iron, nickel and cobalt belong to the same group of 
metals in Mendeleeff's table and have approximately the 
same atomic Aveights, to wit, iron, 55.85; nickel, 58.68, and 

256 



cobalt, 58.97 and cobalt may be substituted for nickel in 
carrying out my invention, since it has substantially the 
same properties as nickel. 

Internal combustion engine valves formed according to 
my invention do not become pitted or corroded or warped, 
so as to require frequent scraping or periodic regrinding, 
as is the case with valves as at present made. 

Moulds embodying my invention are not liable to serious 
oxidation or other injury when used in casting brass or 
other similar metals and are so strong that they can be 
used for long periods for die casting. They produce smooth 
castings for the reason that the surface remains smooth 
even under the trying conditions of temperature changes 
and high temperatures, and they resist chemical actions 
to which old types of moulds are liable. On account of 
their low heat conductivity they prevent the castings from 
chilling before removal, thereby producing castings of ma- 
terials such as iron that can be easily machined. Moulds 
embodying my invention are particularly useful in the 
manufacture of glass articles, such as glass bottles, since 
they withstand the high temperature and abrasion to which 
they are subjected in a remarkable manner and produce 
more highly polished glassware because they can be used 
at a higher temperature than other materials without the 
glass sticking or adhering thereto, and also resist the chem- 
ical action due to the constituents of glass. On account of 
the strength of the material they can be made much lighter 
than cast-iron moulds. 

Tables, rolls, drawing dies for glass working when made 
according to my invention are so slightly oxidized or cor- 
roded when in use that they can be used for a very long- 
time without refinishing. Conveyor links for conveyors 
employed in moving or transmitting hot sheets of glass are 
also remarkably enduring when made according to my in- 
vention. 

Crucibles when made according to my invention easily 
withstand temperatures sufficiently high for melting of 
brass or other materials of similar high melting point and 

257 



are substantially unaffected by the molten metal. While 
the alloy specified is of relatively low heat conductivity 
when compared with other alloys or metals, it is of much 
higher heat conductivity than graphite or magnesite here- 
tofore used in the construction of crucibles, so that for 
this reason and also for the reason that the crucible, when 
made according to my invention, may be thinner than 
crucibles heretofore used, the contents of the crucible can 
be more quickly brought to the melting point. The ma- 
terial of the crucible does not affect the quality of the 
molten content. Furthermore, crucibles made according to 
my invention can be heated and cooled quickly without 
damage to the crucible so that with crucibles embodying 
my invention not only can a purer product be obtained, 
but a great saving in time can be achieved. A very consid- 
erable saving can also be achieved by reason of the fact that 
the crucibles are not liable to be broken and retain their 
strength when heated to temperatures that would destroy 
ordinary iron or steel. Moreover, the stock or crucibles 
necessary to be kept on hand can be much smaller. The 
same is true of the stock of moulds for glass making and 
annealing boxes. In glass making, as heretofore practiced, 
the renewal of moulds is necessarily frequent and necessi- 
tates the stopping of the glass casting machine, resulting 
in a great loss of time, which is saved by using moulds em- 
bodying my invention, and the doing away with the neces- 
sity of frequent refinishing of the moulds by the use of my 
invention results in a further great saving of labor and 
expense. 

The manganese appearing in the preferred form of the 
alloy as above specified is not essential in producing my 
results, but is merely the remnant of manganese used in 
forming the alloy. Where the article in its course of man- 
ufacture is to be machined, the carbon should preferably 
not exceed 0.40 per cent., but where the article is cast and 
does not require machining, it may be considerably higher, 
such for instance, as 2 per cent. 



258 



When subjected to oxidizing atmosphere of high tempera- 
ture, a slight film of oxide forms on the surface of the 
article which is strong and durable and strongly resistant 
to the action of acids such as sulphuric and hydrochloric 
and of alkalis. This oxide is non-flaking, adhering strongly 
to the mass and when formed offers an increased resistance 
to corrosion, pitting and further oxidation. The mass 
when low in carbon is easily machined and may be rolled 
and forged. 

I claim : 

1. A cast article of manufacture subjected when in use 
to external heat at high temperatures composed of an alloy 
containing chromium and iron and another metal of the 
iron group of substantially the same atomic weight as iron, 
the chromium being from 5 to 30 per cent., and the metal 
last referred to from 50 to 90 per cent., and the combined 
third metal and chromium amounting to at least 60 per 
cent. 

2. A cast article of manufacture subjected when in use 
to external heat at high temperatures composed of an alloy 
containing nickel and chromium and iron, the chromium 
being from 5 to 30 per cent., and the nickel from 50 to 90 
per cent., and the combined nickel and chromium amount- 
ing to at least 60 per cent. 

1,263,831, Wolfard ( Assigned one-fourth to Ames and one- 
fourth to Kent), April 23, 1918 

This invention relates to improvements in compositions 
of matter for resisting heat, without cracking or crumbling 
under severe conditions, and in methods of making the 
same, 

I have discovered that a certain amount of nickel alloyed 
with iron will make a product having characteristics which 
are adapted to withstand these conditions, and which, S6 
far as I am aware, are not possessed by the previously 

259 



known material that is available for use under commer- 
cial conditions. 

In the best form in which I have made experiments I 
have found that a composition of about two-fifths nickel 
and three-fifths iron has qualities which fit it for attaining 
the above described results. My experiments, however, 
show that these proportions can be caried, so that I believe 
a proportion at least as low as one third of nickel, or as 
high as two-thirds of nickel, the remainder being iron 
would be satisfactory My experiments also indicate that 
while purity of the iron is not essential better results are 
attained with a small percentage of carbon. The alloy may 
be made by melting together the desired amount of nickel 
and of iron, according to methods usually employed in the 
art, and can be handled upon cooling from the molten state 
by the usual methods of handling metals. It is a particu- 
lar advantage of this alloy that it is to be cast in its desired 
form, and that when so cast makes a product which is free 
in a marked degree from blow holes and other defects. Such 
castings have a firm, compact and homogeneous structure 
which may be easily machined to any desired shape. In 
common with other metals it has the property of being 
tenacious at ordinary temperatures, but unlike other 
metals it retains a high degree of tenacity at high tempera- 
tures, and under conditions under which all other commer- 
cially available metals known to me have failed. With re- 
spect to tenacity it is of course entirely different from ma- 
terials such as porcelain and other earthen substances, 
commonly called refractory, both because such substances 
are apt to be porous and so not adapted either to conduct 
or to confine gases under pressure, are always more or less 
fragile, are not easily shaped to conform precisely to a 
machined surface, and also because they will crack and 
crumble under the influence of heat. Wtihout knowing 
with certainty the chemical explanation for the novel ve- 
sults attained, I believe that it may be that the nickel pre- 
vents oxidation of the iron, and the iron prevents crystal- 
lization of the nickel. Whatever the explanation may be, 

260 



it appears that a rather wide variation may be made in 
the composition of the alloy while still producing a metal 
having superior heat resisting qualities. 

The composition of the invention can be applied to many 
uses in the arts. 

I claim : 

1. A wall shaped and adapted to confine material at high 
temperature, comprising an alloy of nickel and iron hav- 
ing an internal organization such as results from solidifica- 
tion from a liquid state in approximately its said shape, the 
nickel constituting about one-third to two-thirds of the 
whole. 

2. A wall shaped and adapted to confine material, said 
wall being in a state of internal stress resulting from great 
temperature differences between adjacent parts thereof 
and being an alloy of nickel and iron substantially as de- 
scribed, the nickel constituting about one-third to two- 
thirds of the whole. 

See U. S. Patent 1,057,828 on page 25. 
See U. S. Patent 1,093,557 on page 125. 



i ,273,877, Kuehnrich, July 30, 1918 

, The object of this invention is to provide an improved 
alloy possessing the qualities and endurance almost ex- 
clusively associated heretofore with high speed tool steel. 
An alloy according to the present invention comprises a 
base of nickel, chromium and silicon to which a substan- 
tial quantity of aluminium has been added. It is to the 
presence of this aluminium in the alloy that its peculiar 
properties are due, enabling it to be used as a substitute 
for high speed steel. The hardness of the alloy is deter- 
mined by the amount of aluminium, but when excessive 
quanities of the latter are added the alloy becomes too 

201 



brittle for use for high speed tools. The nickel may he 
partially replaced by cobalt. 

In carrying out the present invention a base alloy of 
nickel, chromium and silicon is first melted. The propor- 
tion of chromium may vary from about 10 per cent, to 35 
per cent, or possibly more, while the silicon content may 
also vary, 3 per cent, or even less giving satisfactory res- 
suits, but the amount of silicon may be considerably in- 
creased. When the base, which should preferably contain 
not less than V 2 per cent, of carbon, is sufficiently molten 
there is added a substantial quantity of aluminium, about 
6 per cent, of the whole, but the percentage of aluminium 
may vary from 3 per cent, to 20 per cent, according to the 
hardness required. When the aluminium has been melted 
and proper admixture has occurred the alloy is teemed. 

The alloy thus made is cast into tools in metal or sand 
moulds, the former being preferred. The castings are 
ready for use without any additional heat treatment, their 
cutting edges merely requiring to be ground. They are 
found to be excellent high speed tools. 

Although the alloy according to this invention is mainly 
intended for the manufacture of high speed cutting tools 
it may be used for other purposes, such as the valves of 
internal combustion motors, where a metal is required to 
retain its hardness at high temperatures. 

In making the alloy according to this invention, the chro- 
mium may be added in the form of the metal or the alloy 
known as ferro-chrome containing about 70 per cent, more 
or less chromium, as the iron and carbon contained therein 
do not adversely affect the properties of the new alloy. 

The following mixture has been found in practice to 
give excellent results : 

Ferro-chrome (containing about 70 per 
cent, chromium and 4 per cent, to 6 per 
cent, carbon) 8 lbs. 

Nickel 21 lbs. 

Silicon 1 lb. 11 ozs. 

Aluminium 2 lbs, 8 ozs. 

262 



In the base alloy of nickel, chromium and silicon in about 
the relative proportions described the nickel may be par- 
tially replaced by cobalt. 

I claim : 

1. A metal alloy composed of nickel, approximately 10 
per cent, to 35 per cent, of chromium, approximately 3 per 
cent, to 7 per cent, of silicon, and from 3 per cent, to 20 
per cent, of aluminium. 

2. A metal alloy composed of nickel, approximately 10 
per cent, to 35 per cent, of chromium, approximately 5 per 
cent, of silicon, and approximately 6 per cent, of alu- 
minium. 



203 



BRITISH PATENTS 

Class 3-B 

553 of 1858, Webster 

Three alloys are described : No. 1 consists of 3 parts of 
nickel; 6 of copper; 12 of tin, and 1 of antimony. No. 2, 
of 20 parts of tin; 2 parts of No. 1 alloy and % part of 
antimony. No, 3, 20 parts of copper; 20 parts of zinc, and 
iy 2 parts of No. 1 alloy. As an alternative to No. 3, 21 
parts of copper; 15 parts of zinc, iy 2 parts of alloy No. 1 
may be used with the optional addition of lead. The alloys 
thus obtained may be used for reflectors, as substitutes for 
German silver or Britiannia metal, or where a hard, white 
metal, having little tendency to tarnish, is required. In 
melting, care is taken to diminish the volatilization of the 
antimony and zinc by passing them beneath the non-vola- 
tile metals whilst the latter are being heated in a furnace. 

2,489 of 1362, Vigoraux 

Three inoxidizable and acid resisting white metal alloys 
have the following percentage compositions: Tin, 78.5, 
80.7 or 71.5; antimony, 19.5, 17.5 or 21.5; nickel, 2.0, 1.8, 
7.0. 

The last combination is the strongest. The first is of a 
steel white color and of ornamental appearance. 

446 of 1863, Bousfield 

An alloy consisting of 60 per cent, of copper, 20 per cent, 
of nickel and 20 per cent, of zinc, may be used in the cart- 
ridge chamber of a firearm as it resists the explosive force, 
the heat and oxidation. 

264 



3,941 of 1868, Bousfield 

A non-corrodible alloy is composed of nickel and copper 
free from zinc, or from aluminium alone or alloyed, or 
from an alloy of gold or silver, or from combinations of 
the above. An alloy containing from 50 to 65 per cent, of 
nickel, with 30 to 45 per cent, of copper is non-corrodible. 

See British Patent 1,923 of 1872 on page 98. 
See British Patent 1,143 of 1877 on page 99. 
See British Patent 3,420 of 1877, on page 99. 
See British Patent 3,394 of 1880 (this corresponds to 
U. S. Patent 250,326 on page 232). 

See British Patent 5,218 of 1880, page 100. 



22,023 of 1894, Moissan 

This discloses a process for alloying with refractory 
metals such as molybdenum, tungsten, uranium, zirconium, 
vanadium, silicon, chromium, titanium, iron or steel, 
bronze, etc. An alloy of the refractory metal and alu- 
minium (or magnesium) is first obtained by adding the 
oxide of the refractory method to molten aluminium to 
reduce it. The alloy of the aluminium and the refractory 
metal so obtained is then added to the metal or alloy with 
which the refractory metal is to be alloyed, and the alu- 
minium removed in the slag, or by special means. In this 
manner very refractory alloys may be produced. 



. 202 of 1896 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 573,615 on page 74. 

24,878 of 1898, Brookes 

A workable alloy is prepared by adding 10 to 30 parts 
of magnesium to 100 parts of aluminium. Different quali- 

265 



ties in the alloy are obtained by varying the amount of 
magnesium. Nickel, copper, or German silver may be 
added to the alloy in sufficient quantities to raise the 
specific gravity to that of pure aluminium. 

The new alloy has a hardness and strength so great that 
even axes, cock-pegs, etc., could be made from it. The 
color is nearly silver white, and the polish can be carried 
to brilliancy and is of an extraordinary resistance to the 
influence of the atmosphere. 

23,644 of 1902, Just, Jenkins, Frith 

Relates to an alloy containing copper, nickel, lead, tin, 
zinc, palladium, iron, aluminium, vanadium, and phos- 
phorus, for bearings, sheets, tubes, wire, water, gas, and 
electric fittings, instruments, artistic work, coins, and 
other stamped articles, and torpedoes and torpedo boats. 
The alloy is obtained by successively charging into a heated 
crucible about 67.6 lb. of copper; 1.3 lb. of phosphorus, 
either in the form of yellow phosphorus or as phosphor 
copper ; 12 lb. of powdered borax ; y 2 lb. of burnt sienna ; 
32.5 lb. of nickel; 1 lb of horseshoe nails or other iron 
articles; 1 lb. of sheet lead; 1.3 lb. of grain tin; 26 lb. of 
zinc; 1/5 oz. of palladium sodio-chloride or other palla- 
dium salt ; 1 lb. of powdered glass or equivalent material ; 
12 oz. of aluminium; 3/5 oz. of ammonium vanadate or 
other vanadium salt, and 1.3 lb. of phosphorus, either in 
the form of yellow phosphorus or phosphor copper, or 
equivalent proportions of these substances. Before add- 
ing the borax, the molten metal is covered with crushed 
coke or similar material. One or two of the elements vana- 
dium, phosphorus, or palladium, may be omitted from the 
mixture. When a yellow alloy is required, 18% oz. of 
silver ; 3 oz. of arsenimus oxide or other arsenic compound ; 
36 lb. of copper; 18 lb. of tin, and 2y 2 lb. of common 
brass, or equivalent proportions of these substances are 
added to the mixture in the crucible. A little zinc is added 
each time the alloy is remelted. 

266 



This alloy has about the color of silver and takes about 
the same polish. It has a greater tensile strength, about 
equal to that of a steel containing less than 0.20 per cent, 
of carbon. It does not tarnish or oxidize when exposed 
to atmospheric influences nor is it affected even by an 
atmosphere containing sulphuretted hydrogen or sulphu- 
rus acid. It is not affected by salt, sea, or alkaline waters, 
nor is it affected by alcoholic liquids, fats or oils nor by 
fluid or vegetable acids of any kind. It has great value as 
an anti-friction metal. It has a melting point of about 
1100° C. or 2012° F. It can be rolled into very thin sheets 
and drawn into thin tubes or very fine wire. It can be 
spun, soldered, brazed and annealed. 

It is a great resistant of electricity. 



23,861 of 1903, Soc. Anon La JSfeo Metallurgie 

An iron-nickel-chromium alloy melted and refined by any 
known process and manufactured in an electric furnace, 
contains only 0.3 to 0.8 per cent, of carbon, 0.15 to 0.3 per 
cent, of silicon, 0.04 to 0.06 per cent, of sulphur and 0.01 
to 0.015 per cent, of phosphorus. The iron in it generally 
varies from 16 to 38 per cent., the nickel from 5 to 60 per 
cent, and the chromium from 24 to 57 per cent. This alloy 
being readily dissolved in iron and steels by fusion, and is 
used in the manufacture of cast iron and of steels in gen- 
eral. It gives great resistance to corrosion. 



l h 69-S of 190^, Gnillawme, 

The steel used in compensated balances for chronometers, 
etc., is replaced by an alloy of nickel with at least 7 per 
cent, of chromium, sometimes with the addition of 1 per 
cent, of manganese, the object being to render the nickel 
non-magnetic and more rigid. This takes the place of a 
platinum alloy. 

267 



6,945 of 190.' h Jacobson 

Two alloys of iron, nickel, aluminium, and copper, one 
without zinc, and one with zinc, are described. The for- 
mer consists of the metals in atomic proportions, two 
atoms of iron and of copper being combined with one atom 
of zinc and one of nickel. The iron and nickel are heated 
together, one-tenth of the aluminium is added, then the 
copper, and finally the remainder of the aluminium. This 
alloy is not attackable by sea water, water, moist air or by 
most acids. It is as hard as nickel steel, and has greater 
strength. 

18 of 1906, Hatfield 

Silicon alloyed with carbon, iron, copper, or platinum 
may be employed for making electric resistances, contacts, 
and the like. 

Silicon has a high resistance, and when in the massive 
form is extremely hard, and chemically inert even at high 
temperatures. It also has a low coefficient of expansion, 
and a high specific heat. The clamp or connecting conduc- 
tor is made of a nickel steel alloy whose heat coefficient of 
expansion is the same as that of silicon, to always insure 
good contact. 



2J29 of 1906, Boult 

An alloy of low electric conductivity, non-oxidizable, 
tough, and ductile, for use in electric resistances is pro- 
duced by combining chromium, molydebnum, tungsten or 
uranium with a larger proportion of nickel or cobalt, or 
of a metal having similar properties, excluding iron. Chro- 
mium is preferred and 25 per cent, of that metal and 75 
per cent, of nickel or cobalt is found advantageous. The 
material may be formed into wire strips, strands, or fila- 
ments. Specification No. 202 of 1896 is referred to. Such 

268 



an alloy keeps a polish even in the presence of corrosive 
fumes. 

See British Patent 9,750 of 1906 (this corresponds to 
U. S. Patent No. 856,392 on page 10). 

8,539 of 1907, Boult 

Alloys for electric resistances consist of nickel or cobalt, 
and optionally a metal of the chromium group with a small 
proportion of aluminium or of any other element more 
electric positive than nickel and having an oxide which 
melts above 1200° C, such as tin, silicon, or manganese. 
Such an alloy has a high electric resistance and high melt- 
ing power, and may be formed into a wire or strip, which 
then heated acquires a tough, thin coating of oxide pre- 
venting further oxidation. 

27,217 of 1909, AM Ges. Brown Boveri et. Cie. 

Steam turbine blades are made of an alloy of pure iron 
and nickel without any trace of carbon. The alloy is man- 
ufactured, for example, in an electric furnace, so that no 
carbon comes into contact with it. This alloy does not 
rust. 

12,757, British Thomson-Houston Co., 1910 
See U. S. Patent 963,123 on page 245. 

lkilkh of 1910, British Thomson-Houston Co. 

An electric resistance alloy containing principally nickel, 
iron, and chromium as described in Specification No. 26,- 
940/07 has a carbon content of from 0.1 to 0.4 per cent. 

29,.',69 of 1910, Duke 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 1,044,761 on page 251. 

269 



6 } 166 of 1913, Ormiston 

Aluminium alloys contain cadmium, copper, lead, mer- 
cury, nickel, and optionally magnesium. In the prepara- 
tion of the alloys 3 parts of copper and 3 parts of nickel 
are first added to a fused flux consisting of 60 parts of 
borax, 5 parts of magnesium sulphate, 10 parts of copper 
sulphate, 7 parts of copper nitrate, 1 part of mercuric sul- 
phate, 2 parts of cadmium sulphate, 15 parts of nickel sul- 
phate. When the mass is in a quiet fluid condition 3 parts 
of tin, 1 part of lead and 90 parts of aluminium are added. 
Bauxite may be used instead of aluminium in which case 
the final stage of the treatment is affected in an electric- 
furnace for the extraction of the aluminium. The result- 
ant alloy is a stock-metal with which aluminium, tin, lead, 
copper and nickel are subsequently alloyed, to obtain soft 
or ductile alloys, or hard alloys. 

These alloys are bright and white in color and can be 
brazed, soldered, turnel, rolled, forged, or welded. They 
are highly resistant to oxidation by atmospheric and 
weather influence. 



1>S,212 of 1913, Borchers 

Iron, nickel, cobalt and their alloys with one another 
are obtained in the passive state by alloying them in quan- 
tities ranging between 65 and 72 per cent, with between 
34.5 and 25 per cent, of chromium and between 5 and 0.3 
per cent, of one or more of the metals molybdenum, tung- 
sten, platinum, iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium and 
ruthenium together with one or more of the metals gold, 
silver, and copper in a total amount ranging between 2 
and 0.2 per cent. Impurities such as carbon, silicon, etc., 
may be removed during the melting of the metals by add- 
ing oxides of these metals, the final traces of oxygen being 
removed by an addition of magnesium or magnesium alloys. 



270 



6,062 of 1915, La Roche 

The following alloy of steel is inoxidizable and is 
stronger and harder than ordinary steel : 

Steel 80% 

Chromium 5% 

Nickel 10% 

Vanadium 5% 

103,112, Driver-Harris Co., March 7, 1917 
This corresponds to No. 1,190,652 on pageS&t^T^T 



271 



GERMAN PATENTS 

Class 3-A 

281,784, Borchers and Borchers, 1915 

This is an addition to German Patent No. 278,903. In 
experiments which attempted to utilize the nickel alloys 
protected by our patents, which are almost completely re- 
sistant to oxidizing acids, for lightning conductors, con- 
tacts, points of electrodes and similar apparatus which 
produces electric discharges or sparks, we have found that 
even at moderately high temperatures, even if a weak glow 
takes place at the contacts made of oiir alloys, destructive 
oxidation takes place. This oxidation is lessened by in- 
creasing the amount of the addition of gold and the metals 
the platinum group as suggested in German Patent No. 
278,903. We have achieved the same durability with our 
alloys, as with electrodes and contacts made of the plati- 
num metals, by increasing the percentage of the platinum 
metals to about 25 per cent. The resistance of the alloys 
against the action of the said sparks is still slightly better- 
by further increasing the amount of platinum. It reaches 
a practical maximum when from 30 to 40 per cent, of plati- 
num metals have been added, as the increase of the re- 
sistance is no longer in proportion to the cost. 

For electrodes which are subject to heavy duty, the addi- 
tion of platinum is to be over 30 per cent., but below 40 
per cent., while for contacts on which lesser demands are 
made, the addition of platinum can be from 10 to 30 per 
cent. 



272 



GERMAN PATENTS 

Class 3-B 
See German Patent 54,846, page 118. 
66,931, Solvisky, 1893 

An aluminium alloy which has great resistance to oxida- 
tion is made by adding nickel (or cobalt) as well as cad- 
mium. The first increases its hardness and the second its 
ductility. 

Since the nickel or cobalt can only be alloyed with alu- 
minium imperfectly and with difficulty, they are added in 
the form of a tin alloy, which has a melting point as near 
as possible to that of aluminium. Thus, 50 parts of nickel 
and 50 parts of tin have a melting point of about 800° C. 
Some of the alloys are as follows: Aluminium, 90 per 
cent. ; nickel, 1 per cent. ; tin, 5 per cent. ; cadmium, 4 per 
cent. This has about half the hardness of iron. Another 
alloy is as follows : Aluminium, 95 per cent. ; nickel, 1 per 
cent. ; tin, 1 per cent. ; cadmium, 3 per cent. The aluminium 
and the nickel alloy are first melted together, and then the 
cadmium is added. 

242,313, Borchers and Schirmeister, Jan. 3, 1912 

An alloy composed of from 0.8 to 1.2 per cent, of tung- 
sten, 8 to 10 per cent, of cobalt, the remainder being alu- 
minium, is much harder than aluiminum, can be worked 
much better and is more resistant to atmospheric influ- 
ences. Another alloy is made up of 0.6 to 1 per cent, of 
molybdenum, 9 to 10 per cent, of cobalt, the remainder be- 
ing aluminium. These alloys are made according to the 
known methods. 

273 



PREFACE TO CLASS 4 

It has been demed desirable to put the white jewelry 
alloys into two classes, those containing precious metals 
and therefore costly, and the alloys of non-precious metals. 
Many combinations are possible of metals which will 
present the luster and hardness of platinum ,but the man- 
ufacturing jeweler should readily find in this list an alloy 
suitable for his purpose. 

These patents show that it has been known for many 
years that white alloys could be made by combining gold 
and silver, gold and aluminium, etc. The efforts of in- 
ventors have been directed towards making workable white 
alloys embodying a large amount of gold, and since only a 
small percentage of aluminium is required in a gold alu- 
minium alloy for imparting a white color, we have included 
some patents upon the alloying of aluminium so as to ren- 
der it workable, in the hope that they will, convey some 
suggestions to the trade 



214 



U. S. PATENTS 



Class 4-A 



See U. S. Patent 1,096,655, on page 187. 

Reissue No. 13,961, Zimmerman ( Assigned to Baker & Go., 
Inc.), Aug. 10,1915 

This invention relates to alloys of platinum and osmium 
which combine in a high degree the property of great 
hardness with tensile strength and are applicable for use 
i nthe arts, chiefly for jewelry, electrical and scientific pur- 
poses. 

Heretofore platinum has been alloyed with iridium in 
various percentages. The higher the percentage of iridium 
which is added to the platinum, the greater is the result- 
ing hardness. The highest percentage of iridium alloyed 
with platinum is about 30 per cent. The alloy of platinum 
and iridium is known in the trade as "iridio platinum," or 
in short "hard platinum." 

The steadily increasing demand for hard platinum, the 
limited supply of iridium and its high price, have created 
a demand for another hard alloy of platinum with a 
precious metal which can be supplied at less cost than the 
iridio platinum. 

I have found by a series of practical tests that the addi- 
tion of osmium to platinum greatly increases the hardness 
of the platinum. The percentage of osmium which has 
been alloyed by me with platinum varies from less than i/ 2 
of 1 per cent, to 10 per cent, or more. Alloys of platinum 
and osmium containing more than 10 per cent, of osmium 
are only workable with difficulty, while alloys containing 

275 



a percentage of osmium higher thau 30 per cent, are brittle 
and hardly workable. It was further found that by alloy- 
ing platinum with osmium, as far as hardness is concerned, 
one part of osmium is the equivalent of 2y 2 parts of 
iridium, and that the tensile strength of the alloy is very 
high, so that a fine wire of platinum-osmium is more easily 
produced than a fine wire of iridium-platinuni of the same 
hardness. It was further found that an alloy of platinum 
and osmium containing 2 per cent, of osmium and 98 per 
cent, of platinum can be advantageously used, for jewelry 
work, it being hard and tough, while alloys containing 90 
per cent, to 94 per cent, of platinum and 10 per cent, to 6 
per cent, of osmium will replace iridium platinum contain- 
ing from 15 per cent, to 25 per cent, of iridium for contact- 
points in electrical apparatus. As there is very little de- 
mand for osmium, the same can be obtained at a much 
lower cost than the more expensive iridium, while it is in 
every other respect when alloyed Avith platinum, as re- 
gards hardness and tensile strength, the equal of iridium- 
platinum. The osmium-platinum alloy is also more resist- 
ant to the action of acids than platinum. 

For melting platinum and osmium together, it is neces- 
sary to refine the platinum and osmium of commerce to a 
high degree of purity so as to remove from the platinum 
the small quantities of metals of the platinum group and 
other impurities, and the impurities contained in the os- 
mium. It is well known that platinum, as found in nature, 
contains osmium as well as other metals of the platinum 
group; also copper and iron, but it is impossible to make 
use of this natural product as an alloy, as the presence of 
the other metals impairs the good properties of the osmium- 
platinum alloy. 

The new alloy herein described, which is obtained by 
melting together refined platinum and refined osmium, 
combines great tensile strength with hardness and ductil- 
ity, and is thereby adapted in a high degree for applica- 
tion in the arts. 



27G 



I claim: , 

Alloys of platinum and osmium, containing refined plati- 
num and refined osmium in the proportion of less than % 
per cent, to 30 per cent. 

1,165,448, Richter (Assigned to Dr. Riohter <& Co.), Dec. 

28, 1915 

Gold alloys of a white color are known, for instance gold- 
aluminium, gold-iron, gold-nickel, gold-palladium, gold- 
platinum, gold-tin. These alloys, which all consist of only 
two metals, have, however, certain disadvantages which 
hinder their technical application. As to the binary (and 
certain ternary) alloys of gold with platinum and palla- 
dium, these are much too costly for practical use ; for such 
white gold alloys must be sold at such a price as is equiva- 
lent to that of an ordinary gold alloy of equal content of 
gold. The alloys with aluminium, tin, nickel and the like, 
present, indeed, no particular difficulty in respect to their 
cost, but they are so hard and brittle that they cannot be 
worked. 

According to the present invention, alloys which fulfill 
in every respect the requirements of practice, can be made 
by substituting more or less for metals of the palladium 
group (palladium, iridium, osmium, ruthenium, rhodium) 
a metal of the iron nickel group, particularly nickel. In 
this manner alloys are obtained, the manufacture of which 
is not substantially dearer than that of the ordinary gold 
alloys, while on the other hand the brittleness produced by 
addition of nickel alone is removed completely by the com- 
bination of nickel with the noble metal, the said alloy being 
malleable and adapted to be formed into articles of jewelry. 
Obviously, instead of pure gold, copper-gold alloys may be 
used as the starting material. In this case, however,, the 
content of copper must not exceed a certain limit, because 
an excess is attended by a passage of the desired white 
color into a reddish tint. By a correct choice of the pro- 
portions it is possible to obtain alloys which consist of gold, 

277 



copper and nickel alone without any other noble metal, and 
yet exhibit substantially the desired properties. 

The composition of the alloy may vary within wide 
limits. Investigation has shown, however, that the most 
advantageous composition for the alloy to be added to the 
gold is as follows: Palladium 0.5 to 20 atoms per cent. 
A metal or metals of the nickel group 70 to 94 atoms per 
cent. Copper 4 to 30 atoms per cent. This addition is con- 
sidered as a whole, that is to say if, for example, the alloy 
consists of oo per cent, gold and 100 — x per cent, of the ad- 
dition, the latter has the composition given above in per 
cent. 

A suitable composition of alloy made in accordance with 
my invention may be, for example, as follows: Gold, 57 
atoms per cent. ; nickel, 7.5 atoms per cent. ; palladium, 35 
atoms per cent. 

By atoms per cent. I mean percentages based on the 
atomic weights of the quantities of the metals present in 
the alloy. 

I claim : 

1. A malleable, non-brittle white alloy comprising gold, 
palladium and a metal of the iron-nickel group, substan- 
tially as and for the purpose described. 

2. A malleable, non-brittle white alloy comprising gold, 
palladium and nickel, substantially as and for the purpose 
described. 

1,169,153, Peschko, Jan 25, 1916 

My invention relates to alloys particularly designed for 
use as substitutes for platinum in the manufacture of 
jewelry, scientific instruments, dental supplies and elec- 
trical apparatus, one object being to provide alloys which 
while cheaper than platinum shall not be inferior to it for 
the purposes noted, as regards certain of their qualities. 

It is further desired to provide alloys which, with pos- 
sible exception of those containing from 70 per cent, to SO 

278 



per cent, of gold, shall possess a color such as will render 
them indistinguishable from platinum, it being particu- 
larly desired that said alloys be relatively soft, easily work- 
able, shall possess a tensile strength higher than that of 
platinum; shall be capable of receiving a high polish, and 
shall have wearing qualities practically equal to those of 
platinum. 

In carrying out my invention I fuse together platinum, 
palladium, and gold, and while the proportions of these 
metals may be considerably varied without departing from 
my invention, in a typical case I employ particularly for 
dental supplies, an alloy containing 10 parts of platinum, 
30 parts of palladium and 60 parts of gold. The palladium 
is employed mainly for the purpose of increasing the bulk 
of the product for a given weight thereof as well as for 
the purpose of making the resulting alloy workable and 
the gold is used mainly for the purpose of reducing the cost 
of the product. 

If it be desired to produce an alloy having an increased 
tensile strength and greater hardness than those described 
above, I may add such metals as ruthenium, iridium, os- 
mium, or rhodium in the proportion of from 1/10 per cent, 
to 2 per cent., it being noted that one of these hardening 
metals may be used alone or several of them together may 
be employed. 

For the purpose of making the alloy, an oxy-gas flame 
or an electric furnace may be employed, with a lime, mag- 
nesium or graphite crucible, although the actual method 
of procedure in combining the metals constituting my alloy 
forms no part of the present invention. 

It is to be noted that all of the above described alloys 
are practically insoluble in mineral and organic acids, with 
the possible exception of the high silver alloys which are 
slowly attacked by nitric acid and boiling sulphuric acid. 
All of the alloys are soluble in aqua regia. A valuable 
feature of the alloys resides in the fact that they do not dis- 
color or oxidize in air at temperatures: below their melting 



279 



points and will in every case take a high polish equal or 
superior to that characterizing platinum. 

I claim : 

1. An alloy containing 10 parts of platinum, 30 parts 
of palladium and 60 parts of gold. 

2. An alloy containing platinum, palladium, gold and a 
metal having the property of increasing the tensile 
strength of the alloy, the gold being in excess. 

3. An alloy containing platinum, palladium, and an ex- 
cess of gold. 

4. An alloy containing platinum palladium, and an ex- 
cess of gold, with from 1/10 to 2 per cent, of a hardening 
metal. 

5. An alloy containing platinum, palladium, and an ex- 
cess of gold, with from 1/10 per cent, to 2 per cent, of 
iridium. 



280 



BRITISH PATENTS 

Class 4-A 

J h 896 of 1882, Gwye 

This invention relates to the manufacture of a series of 
alloys of gold with aluminium bronze, and with other al- 
loys of aluminium and copper and an important feature 
of the invention is the method of preparing the alloys 
whereby the contamination of the aluminium by the silica 
of the crucible is prevented and whereby the alloys are en- 
dowed with qualities of malleability and ductility which 
fit them admirably for general use in the arts in substitu- 
tion of the gold, silver and copper and gold- copper alloys 
now generally employed. No such alloy has, I believe, ever 
yet been produced sufficiently malleable and ductile to 
enable it to be used in the goldsmith's art. 

By alloying pure gold with aluminium and copper in 
any of the ways hereafter described, and in proportions 
varying according to the desired standard of the ingot, a 
series of alloys of gold are obtained, varying from the 
highest to the lowest standard of a fine gold color, malle- 
able, ductile, hard and elastic, and much less oxidizable 
in the air at ordinary temperatures or at a red heat than 
the alloys of gold now generally employed, and of a lower 
density (or in other words, having a greater specific vol- 
ume) than the latter, the comparison in each case being 
made, of course, between corresponding standards. 

The preparation of these alloys may be made in any 
earthenware crucible, whose composition does not contain 
such a high proportion of silicon as would render the alloy 
brittle, a consequence which may probably be attributed 

281 



to the form of aluminium silicates or silicide of aluminium. 

Equally good results are obtained by alloying the gold 
with aluminium bronze, or with a mixture in correspond- 
ing proportions of copper and aluminium, or successively 
with these two metals. 

Equally good results aro obtained by alloying the gold 
with aluminium bronze, or with a mixture in correspond- 
ing proportions of copper and aluminium, or successively 
with these two metals. 

In the latter case it is essential to alloy the gold first 
with the copper and afterwards with the aluminium. 

The aluminium bronze used for the purpose of the in- 
vention should contain about 10 parts of aluminium and 
90 parts of copper, but the proportion of aluminium may 
be increased or diminished according to the degree of duc- 
tility and malleability, and the color it is desired, the alloy 
should have. Thus, to obtain alloys of a pale gold color 
the proportion of aluminium contained in the aluminium 
bronze may be increased to about 15 per cent., the alloy of 
gold becoming paler and harder as the proportion of alu- 
minium is increased. On the other hand if a redder and 
more malleable alloy is required, the proportion of the 
aluminium contained in the aluminium bronze may be 
diminished to 4 or 5 per cent, or even to 1 per cent., but if 
a lower proportion of aluminium than 4 per cent, be taken, 
the alloys will be more liable to be oxidized at a red heat. 

The chief practical difficulties to be overcome are due to 
the fact that the aluminium becomes easily contaminated 
by contact with the ordinary earthen crucibles, and that if 
heated for too long a time it tends to become oxidized. Both 
these objections are avoided at once by taking care to add 
the aluminium (whether it be in fusion or not) only to 
metals which are themselves already in fusion. It is upon 
this latter principle that the following methods of manu- 
facture are based. 

1st. In an ordinary earthen crucible, containing gold in 
fusion, I add the alloy of aluminium and copper in cab 
culated proportion, mix and cast in ingot. 

282 



2nd. To a mixture of gold and copper in fusion, I add 
the proper proportion of aluminium, mix and cast in ingot. 

3rd. I first cast the gold in the form of a crucible which 
is then placed within an ordinary earthen crucible, and the 
whole heated. Before the gold begins to melt, I place in 
the gold- lined crucible the proper quantity of aluminium- 
copper alloy or a mixture, not yet melted together, of cop- 
per and aluminium. I complete the fusion of the whole 
mix, and cast in ingots. 

This method should be followed in preparing the alu- 
minium copper alloy, or equivalent precautions should be 
taken to avoid any chemical change in the aluminium in 
making the said alloy. 

4th. In an ordinary earthen crucible I place gold and 
copper in calculated proportions, and as soon as these 
metals begin to melt, I place above this crucible iron, con- 
taining the proper proportion of aluminium, and having 
a hole in the bottom, so that as the aluminium melts it will 
fall into the molten mixture of gold and copper. This 
method may also be followed in preparing the aluminium 
copper alloy. 

5th. The gold and copper are melted together in proper 
proportions in an ordinary earthen crucible and the alu- 
minium in proper proportions is melted separately in an 
earthen or iron crucible and when all the metals are 
brought to a state of fusing, the aluminium is poured into 
the first crucible, mixed, and cast in ingots. This method 
may also be followed in preparing the aluminium copper 
alloy. 

See 6,367 of 1886 on page 223. 

See British Patent 21,170 of 1900, page 309. 

22,264 of 1906, Hobson 

This invention consists of the herein described improve- 
ments of gold alloys and the object of my invention is to 

283 



provide a gold alloy having decided advantages over the 
gold alloys in use at the present time. My gold alloys are 
very ductile, even more so than bronze, and are very easily 
worked in rolling, spinning and drawing processes and 
very useful for art metal work where a fine color of metal 
is required. 

In producing gold alloys at the present time fine gold is 
melted with copper and silver, or with copper alone, or 
with silver alone, in certain proportions according to the 
number of carats fine and the color which the finished alloy 
is required to have. 

According to my invention, I use zinc, manganese and 
copper in the gold alloy, either with fine gold alone, or 
with the addition of silver, or other metals, and I thus 
obtain a gold alloy which has many advantages over ordi- 
nary gold alloys, as my gold alloy has increased ductility, 
is harder and therefore wears longer than other gold 
alloys of the same degree of fineness, and moreover, it 
melts at a much higher temperature, and also a very wide 
range of color in the alloy can be attained independently 
of the fineness ( so that it is possible to make, say, for in- 
stance, 12- carat gold, which will have the same color and 
appearance as 18-carat. 

The proportions of the zinc and manganese which I use 
with copper alone, or with copper and other metals, in 
the compound base metal to form a gold alloy of any de- 
sired degree of fineness, depends chiefly upon the color re- 
quired. I find the following gives very good results : 

Zinc from 19.5 parts to 22.5 parts 

Manganese from .5 parts to 2.5 parts 

Copper . from 80.0 parts to 75.0 parts 



100.0 100.0 

My experiments show, however, that the proportion of 
zinc in the compound base metal to be alloyed with the 
fine gold should not exceed 40 parts, and that the propor- 
tion of the manganese should not exceed 10 parts, the bal- 

284 



ance, 50 parts, being made up of copper and any other suit- 
able metals, such, for instance, as silver. 

The proper proportions of this compound base metal 
are then alloyed with the proper proportions of fine gold 
to form the gold alloy of the number of carats fine re- 
quired. The proportion of fine gold must never be less 
than one fifth of the whole. 

It will be understood that the darker colored alloys are 
obtained by increasing the proportion of the copper and 
decreasing the zinc and manganese, whereas by decreasing 
the proportion of the copper and increasing the zinc the 
color of the alloy will be lighter. 



21,164 of 1912, Blowwm 

White gold alloys, soft enough for making ornaments 
(that is to say containing not less than 70 per cent, of 
gold ) , are made of gold and platinum with or without the 
addition of palladium and sometimes copper or silver. 
These are much too costly for practical use, since they 
must be sold at such a price as is equivalent to that of an 
ordinarily gold alloy of equal content of gold. Other white 
gold alloys such as gold-aluminium, gold-iron, gold-nickel, 
gold-tin, are too hard and brittle to be worked for making 
ornaments. 

According to the present invention white gold alloys 
which are soft in the foregoing sense and fulfil in every 
respect the requirements of practice, can be made by sub- 
stituting for the whole or a part of the metal of the plati- 
num group (platinum, palladium), a metal of the iron 
nickel group, particularly nickel. In this manner alloys 
are obtained, the operation of manufacturing which is not 
substantially dearer than that of ordinary gold alloys, 
while on the other hand the brittleness produced by nickel 
alone is removed completely by the combination of nickel 
with the noble metal. Obviously, instead of pure gold, cop- 
per gold alloys may be used as the starting material. In 
this case, however, the content of copper must not exceed 

285 



a certain limit, because an excess is attended by a passage 
of the desired white color into a reddish tint. 

By correct choice of the proportions it is possible to ob- 
tain alloys which consist of gold, copper and nickel alone, 
without any other noble metal, and yet exhibit substan- 
tially the desired properties. 

The composition of the alloy may vary within the limits. 
The metals to be added to the gold are best introduced as 
an alloy, the most advantageous composition for which is: 

A metal or metals of the platinum group, 0.5 to 20 atoms 
per cent. 

Copper, 4 to 30 atoms per cent. 

Atoms per cent, are calculated by dividing the percent- 
age by weight of each metal by the atomic weight of the 
metal to obtain the atomic ratio, which is then calculated 
to a percentage ratio ; thus, if the atomic ratio is 1 :4 :5 
the atomic per cent, are 10, 40 and 50. 

This addition is considered as a whole, that is to say, if, 
for example, the alloy consist of w per cent, of gold and 
100 minus x per cent, of the addition, the latter has the 
composition given above in atoms per cent. 



28ti 



U. S. PATENTS 

Class 4-B 

11,012, Schmitte <& LevaUois, Nov. 19, 1861 

About 1,000 parts of pure copper, 700 of pure nickel and 
50 of pure tungsten are first melted under charcoal, then 
granulated, and again melted with about 10 parts of pure 
aluminium, using borax and fluoride of calcium as a flux. 
The resulting alloy is comparable to silver, and may be 
forged, rolled, wire drawn, and annealed in the ordinary 
way. 

.9.9,007, Savage, Jam. 18, 1810 

For producing alloys of manganese and copper with or 
without other metals, such as nickel, zinc, silver, or gold, 
to be employed as substitutes for German silver, black ox- 
ide of manganese is heated, with the other metals re- 
quired to form .the alloys, in the presence of solid, liquid, 
or gaseous carbonaceous substances, so that the other 
metals will melt with the manganese, when reduced to the 
metallic state. The pulverized oxide may be mixed with 
crushed charcoal and coal tar, and then placed with cya- 
nide of potassium and the other metals in a crucible, into 
which a layer of charcoal is afterwards put, and it is then 
covered. The cyanide of potassium acts as a reducing 
agent, and protects the reduced manganese from oxidation. 

See U. S. Patent 100,937 on page 8. 



102,324, Savage, April 26, 1810 

This is essentially the same as U. S. Patent No. 99,007. 
The cyanide of potassium is not used, but the crucibles 

287 



are heated in a reducing atmosphere as in a Siemens' fur- 
nace. 

142,760, Pirsch-Baudoin, Sept. 16, 1873 

The nature of said invention consists in the production 
of a metallic alloy resembling silver. 

The following proportions are suitable, and produce a 
very white and silver-like metal : 

Copper 71.00 parts. 

Nickel 16.50 parts. 

Cobalt 1.75 parts. 

Tin 2.50 parts. 

Iron 1.25 parts. 

Zinc 7.00 parts. 



100.00 



In some cases, also, a small proportion — say, y 2 per 
cent. — of aluminium is added. 

The nickel is first alloyed with an equal weight of cop- 
per, and the zinc also with copper in the proportion of 
six parts of the former to ten of the latter. The nickel 
alloy, the iron, the remainder of the copper, the. cobalt ( in 
the state of black oxide), and charcoal are then placed to- 
gether in a plumbago crucible. The charge is covered with 
charcoal and the whole is exposed to a high heat. When 
the materials are melted the heat is reduced and the alloy 
of zinc and copper is added when the heat is such that it 
will just melt freely. This having been done, the crucible 
is taken from the fire and stirred with a rod of hazelwood. 
The tin is then added. It is wrapped in paper and dropped 
into the crucible. The metal is again stirred and at once 
cast into ingot moulds. It can afterward be rolled and 
otherwise worked as silver is worked. 

Much of the zinc is volatized in the process of melting, 
and the proportion ultimately remaining in the alloy is 
small. 

288 



The superiority of this alloy over other silver-like alloys 
depends mainly upon the influence of cobalt. 

528,181. Roman, Oct. 30, 1891, 

Alloys are disclosed containing small proportions of cop- 
per, tin, antimony, tungsten, and about 98 per cent, of alu- 
minium. Manganese or nickel may be substituted for the 
tin or antimony. Tungstic acid is reduced by fusing with 
an equivalent of cryolite and aluminium is added in such 
quantity as will produce a 10 per cent, alloy with the tung- 
sten. An alloy of copper and aluminium is next produced, 
and the two alloys are then melted together, the other in- 
gredients being added. 

A suitable alloy is made up of the following: Copper, 
0.375 per cent.; tin, 0.105 per cent.; antimony, 1.442 per 
cent. ; tungsten, 0.038 per cent. ; aluminium, 98.040 per 
cent. 

This alloy is equal to aluminium in color, ductility, and 
resistance to oxidation, and may be rolled, forged, stamped, 
spun, turned, filed, etc 

6*2.9, 081,, Maoh, July 18, 1889 

This invention relates to a new and improved alloy of 
aluminium and magnesium. 

It has been demonstrated by numerous experiments that 
magnesium, with its lighter specific gravity (1.74), alloyed 
with aluminium in certain proportions gives the latter 
those qualities with respect to its mechanical working and 
strength which the pure aluminium does not possess. From 
these experiments it resulted that in order to produce the 
qualities mentioned as little as 10 and no more than 30 
parts, by weight, of magnesium may be added to 100 parts 
of aluminium and that the proportion of 10 to 25 parts of 
magnesium to 100 parts of aluminium was the most ad- 
vantageous. 

If 100 parts of aluminium are alloyed with 10 parts of 
magnesium, the alloy has about the same mechanical quali 

289 



ties as rolled zinc. An alloy of 100 parts of aluminium and 
15 parts magnesium corresponds to good foundry- brass, 
while an alloy of 100 parts of aluminium and of 20 parts 
of magnesium gives the metal teh character of a softer red 
brass or a brass wire hard drawn, and, finally, an alloy of 
25 parts of magnesium and 100 parts of aluminium repre- 
sents the qualities of usual red brass. 

The hardness and strength of the new alloy are so emi- 
nent that even axes, cock-pegs, etc., can be manufactured 
from it. The polish can be carried to brilliancy and is of 
an extraordinary resistance to the influence of the at- 
mosphere. The color of the alloy is nearly silver white, 
differing from that of the pure aluminium, the color of 
which is somewhat unsightly. 

808^53, Hobson, Dec. 26, 1905 

Silver alloy consists of 92.5 per cent, of silver and 7.5 
per cent, of manganese. Some of the manganese may be 
replaced by copper or brass or both. • An extra quality 
alloy may contain a higher percentage of silver, the per- 
centage of manganese being correspondingly reduced. 

The new alloys are entirely free from fire scale and will 
withstand a much greater amount of heat. 

See U. S. Patent 937,284 on page 165. 
See U. S. Patent 937,285 on page 167. 

1,099,561. Mc Adams, June 9, 19 U 

My invention consists in an alloy composed of alu- 
minium, copper and silver in which the amount of alu- 
minium exceeds the amount of copper and the amount of 
copper exceeds the amount of silver. More particularly, 
the aforesaid elements are preferably combined in the pro- 
portion of 100 parts by weight of aluminium, 5 parts by 
weight of copper and 2 parts by weight of silver. 

In making the alloy, the aluminium is preferably first 
melted and the copper and silver introduced into the melt- 

290 



ed aluminium and the mass raised to such a degree as to 
melt the copper and silver, the melted mass being thor- 
oughly agitated to bring the molecules of the different ele- 
ments into intimate contact. The mass is then allowed to 
cool, and mar then be rolled or tooled as may be desired. 
When rolled into a thin sheet, the alloy will present a 
brilliant white surface which will not tarnish; the sheet 
may be bent at pleasure, and will be so stiff and hard and 
at the same time resilient that the metal will keep the 
form into which it is bent without liability of becoming- 
mashed out of shape. The small proportion of silver rel- 
ative to the amount of copper and the small proportion of 
both silver and copper relative to the amount of aluminium 
makes the alloy almost as light as aluminium itself and 
adds but little to the cost of the alloy over the cost of 
aluminium alone. 

I am aware that the elements, aluminium, copper and 
silver have heertofore been combined to form an alloy in 
which the silver exceeded the copper, but I believe that I 
am the first to succeed in producing a non-tarnishable, 
tough, resilient and stiff alloy capable of being rolled and 
worked like silver or copper by using an amount of silver 
so relatively small as compared with the amount of cop- 
per and aluminium. 

I claim : 

An aluminium alloy composed of aluminium, copper and 
silver combined substantially in the proportions of 100 
parts aluminium, 5 parts copper and 2 parts silver. 

1J04,369, McAdams, July 21 ; 1914 

My invention consists of an alloy composed of tin, silver, 
cadmium and aluminium combined in substantially the 
following proportions, to wit: tin, 8 per cent, by weight; 
silver, 4 per cent, by weight; cadmium, 8 per cent, by 
weight; and aluminium, 80 per cent, by weight. In com- 
bining these substances to form the alloy, I first melt a 

291 



portion of the aluminium, for example, one-third, and raise 
it to such a temperature that the silver, when introduced, 
Avill readily combine with it. The silver is then introduced 
and after it has combined with this portion of the alu- 
minium, the remainder of the aluminium is introduced 
into the mass, such introduction materially lowering the 
temperature of the mass. The cadmium is then intro- 
duced and then the tin, or the tin may be introduced and 
then the cadmium, the order of introduction of these two 
substances being a matter of choice or convenience. It is 
to be understood that the mass is to be thoroughly agitated 
when the different elements are introduced in order to 
make the mass homogeneous and thoroughly mix the sub- 
stance being introduced throughout the mass into which it 
is introduced. The mass is then skimmed to remove any 
flux which may have been employed and then it may be 
poured to form ingots of any desired shape. These ingots 
are of a malleable nature and may be treated as a malleable 
metal and will have a brightness substantially like that 
of unoxidized silver. This metal will retain its luster and 
is proof against disintegration by nitric acid. It is ex- 
tremely ductile and is amply strong for the manufacture 
of all silverware and may be furnished at a cost far below 
the cost of silver. 

I claim : 

An aluminium alloy composed of tin, silver, cadmium 
and aluminium in the proportions substantially as set 
forth. 



292 



BRITISH PATENTS 

Class 4-B 

2,285 of 1867 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 71,072 on page 286. 

1,100 of 1870 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 99,007 on page 286. 

1,075 of 1818, Clark 

To make an alloy having the appearance and color of 
gold, I place in a crucible copper as pure as possible, plati- 
num, and tungstic acid in the proportions below stated, 
and when the metals are completely melted I stir and gran- 
ulate them by running them into water containing 500 
grains of slaked lime and 500 grams of carbonate of potash 
for every cubic meter of water. This mixture dissolved 
in water has the property of rendering the alloy still purer. 
I then collect the granulated metal, dry it, and after hav- 
ing it remelted in a crucible I add a certain quantity of 
fine gold in the proportion hereinafter specified. 

An alloy is thus provided, which, when run into ingots, 
presents the appearance of red gold of the standard 
750/1000 and to which may be applied the name of 
"aphthite," or unalterable. 

I may change the color of the alloy by varying the pro- 
portions of the different metals. As flux, I use boric acid, 
nitrate of soda, and chloride of sodium previously melted 
together in equal proportions. The proportion of flux to 
be employed is 25 grammes per kilogram of the alloy. 

293 



The following are the proportions I employ, by pref- 
erence, for producing an alloy of red gold color : 

Copper 800 grams 

Platinum 25 " 

Tungstic acid 10 " 

Gold 170 " 

To imitate silver or platinum I employ the following 
mixture of metals : 

Iron 65 parts 

Nickel ■. ... 23 " 

Tungsten 4 " 

Aluminium 5 " 

Copper 5 " 

The iron and tungsten are melted together, and then 
granulated, as in the case of the previous alloy, except that 
in this instance the water into which the mixture is run 
contains one kilogram of slaked lime and one kilogram of 
carbonate of potash per cubic meter. 

The nickel copper and aluminium are also melted to- 
gether and granulated by running into water containing 
the same proportion of lime and potash. 

Care should be taken during the melting to cover the 
metals contained in the two crucibles with a flux composed 
of 1 part of boric acid to 1 part of nitrate of potash or 
nitre. 

In a the crucible containing the aluminium and copper, 
I place a lump of sodium of about 2 grams in weight 
when treating 5 kilograms of the three metals (nickel, cop- 
per and aluminium), together to prevent oxidation of the 
aluminium and I also add charcoal to prevent oxidation of 
the copper. Before granulating the metal in each crucible 
it should be well stirred, with a fire clay stirrer. 

The granulated metals are dried as in the former case, 
when melted together, in the same crucible in the propor- 
tions above indicated, and well stirred after which the 
alloy is run into ingots. 

294 



The alloy thus obtained, to which may be given the name 
of "sideraphthite" (or unchangeable iron), presents the 
same white appearance as platinum or silver, and it is not 
more expensive than German silver. 

These improved metallic alloys are capable of resisting 
the action of sulphuretted hydrogen, are unattaeked by 
vegetable acids, and but slightly attacked by mineral acids, 
they are also perfectly ductile and malleable. 

16,135 of 1>$91, Briggs 

An alloy having a beautiful silver color, consists of 100 
parts of aluminium, with from 1 to 49 parts of copper, 
nickel or tin, or a mixture of these metals. A light, strong, 
workable alloy consists of the following : 100 parts of alu- 
minium with about 6 of copper, or 3% parts of nickel, or 
about 10 parts of tin The alloy will not rust or become 
discolored. 

J h !,60 of 1891 

Alloys for the manufacture of surgical instruments, cut- 
lery, spoons, jewelry, etc., consist of suitable proportions 
of iron or steel, tungsten, manganese, nickel, cadmium, 
and aluminium. They are non-oxidizing and will not rust. 
For spoons and jewelry the following is suitable: Alu- 
minium, 4 oz. ; nickel, 8 oz. ; iron, 8 oz. ; wolfram, 1 oz. ; 
manganese, 2 oz. 399 grams; osmium, 1 grain. 

19£lf5 of 1893 
See U. S. Patent 528,181 on page 288. 

14,502 of 1894, Dixon and Skinner 

An alloy that will receive a higher polish than alu- 
minium, and possesses greater ductility and strength, con- 
sists of aluminium about 96.25 parts, silver 3.5 parts, and 
copper 0.25 parts. This has a better color than aluminium 
and may be used for forks, spoons, etc. 

29.5 



16,033 of 1894, Ellis and Colbey 

Alloys that possess great elasticity and will not corrode, 
are made up of 88 parts of aluminium, 9 of copper, and 4 
of nickel, or of 88 -parts of aluminium, 8y 2 parts of copper, 
2 parts of nickel, and H/ 2 of zinc. 

16,033 'A of 1894, Ellis and Colbey 

A noncorrodible, strong and light alloy is composed of 
88 parts of aluminium, 8 to 10 of copper, and 2 to 4 of 
nickel, iy 2 parts of zinc may be substituted for part of the 
nickel. This can be cast, rolled into sheets, drawn into 
tubes, and stamped. 

21,186 of 1895, Roman 

The alloy consists of aluminium and a small proportion 
of nickel and tungsten It is prepared by either first pre- 
paring a nickel-tungsten alloy and adding aluminium, or 
by forming an aluminium tungsten alloy by reducing tung- 
stic acid with cryolite and then adding aluminium and 
nickel to give the desired results. An alloy composed of 
98 parts of aluminium, 1 part of nickel, and 1 part of 
tungsten, has all the properties of aluminium as far as re- 
gards weight, ductility, color and resistance to corrosion, 
is of greater tensile strength, has a far greater elasticity, 
can be more easily machined, and takes a finer polish. 

21,575 of 1895, Partin 

In order to increase the tenacity of aluminium it is al- 
loyed with tungsten or magnesium. An alloy is first pre- 
pared by fusing together 78 parts of copper and 20 parts 
of tin, with the additional 2 parts of arsenate of potash. 
This alloy is crushed and mixed with 1 part of tungsten 
and 3 parts of antimony, and strongly heated in a brasqued 
crucible to effect fusion. The alloy so produced is added 
to the molten mass of aluminium. The resulting alloy is 
suitable for musical instruments. The mixture of tungsten 

296 



and antimony may be replaced by magnesia, tartrate of 
potash and chloride of sodium being used as fluxes. 

6,991 of 1-S97, Griffith 

Aluminium is strengthened by fusing in a crucible and 
adding a mixture of wolfram (tungsten ore) and borax. 
The metal is then stirred, and afterwards poured into the 
requisite moulds. The proportion of wolfram to the alu- 
minium, varies from 5 to 20 grams to the kilogram, accord- 
ing to the intensity of resistance required from the metal. 

6,72.9 of 1S98, Roman 

This discloses an alloy containing 60 parts of copper, 29 
parts of nickel, 1 part of tungsten, and 10 parts of alu- 
minium. The copper which forms 56 to 60 per cent, of the 
alloy, and the nickel, are first melted together and then the 
tungsten is introduced in aluminium cartridges. The metal 
is then shot into cold water, and is subsequently re-melted 
with a flux composed of borax and calcium fluoride and the 
aluminium is added. The alloy is white or silvery in color, 
and can be easily forged, rolled, or stamped at a bright red 
heat. It is not liable to rust or corrode. 

22,073 of 1903, Green and Presoott 

Alloys, consisting of about 70 to 90 parts of aluminium, 
18 to 5 of magnesium, and 12 to 2 of cadmium, are used in- 
stead of electroplated ware, and for ornamental work, elec- 
tric instruments, carriage fittings, bells, gongs, castings, 
etc. This alloy may be cast. 

1>3,198 of 1909, Soe. Anon "he ferro-niolcel" 

Aluminium alloys contain from 94 to 98 per cent, of 
aluminium, from 1.5 to 4 per cent, of copper, from 0.25 to* 
1.25 per cent, of silver. Specified alloys contain (1) 96.5 
per cent, of aluminium, 1,875 per cent, of copper, 0.625 
per cent, of manganese, and 1 per cent, of silver, and (2) 

297 



95.5 per cent, of aluminium, 3.5 per cent, of copper. 15 per 
cent, of manganese, and 15 per cent, of silver 

These have great tensile strength and their color is 
whiter and more dazzling. They are ductile and malleable, 
and can he forged hot or cold. 

See 8,270 of 1914 on page 229. 



29S 



PEEFACE TO CLASS 5 

The properties of the alloys which are required in this 
connection are very similar to those required for Class 3. 
The British Patents show some valuable ideas which are 
not protected by corresponding U. S. Patents. For ex- 
ample, British Patent No. 9,050 of 1890 and No. 18,343 of 
1890, give some carefully worked out formulae for this 
purpose. 



299 



U. S. PATENTS 

Class 5 

16,784, Blandy, March 10, 1857 

Alloys used for making plates for artificial teeth consist 
of 10 to 20 parts of tin, 1 to 5 of bismuth, 1 to 2 of anti- 
mony, and 1 to 2 of silver, with or without 5 to 15 parts 
of cadmium. Alloys containing 20 to 23 parts of tin, 4 to 
6 of antimony, and 2 to 4, of silver, may be used. The 
bismuth and antimony neutralize the shrinkage on cooling 
of the other metals, and serve in conjunction with the silver 
and cadmium to give hardness, strength and rigidity to the 
alloy. The bismuth, tin and cadmium lower the melting 
point. 

This alloy will not tarnish or corrode. 

U6,233, Conway, Jam. 6, 1874 

The nature of my invention consists in purifying and fus- 
ing together the following named metals, in the following 
proportions and in the following manner, namely, plati- 
num, gold, silver, bismuth, tin, and lead, viz., one scruple 
of platinum, one scruple of gold, one scruple of silver, 5 
ounces of bismuth, 9 ounces of tin, and 2 of lead. All these 
metals should be perfectly pure. The bismuth, tin, and 
lead should be well refined before melting together. I melt 
each separately in a clean iron ladle, and, when melted, 
pour on a clean marble slab. I repeat the melting and 
pouring until there is no dross left of either the bismuth, 
tin, or lead. When this is done, I melt each separately 
again, and pour each separately into a clean glass dish 

300 



containing pure lemon juice. Repeat this last process three 
times, taking the cold metal from the acid and melting it 
again without washing. I then melt each of the three 
metals, bismuth, tin, and lead, again separately, and pour 
them on the marble slab, when they will be clean and pure 
from all impurities. T then take one scruple of platinum 
filings, one scruple of gold filings, and one scruple of silver 
filings; I put them in a clean iron ladle, and place upon 
them 5 ounces of bismuth thus purified and refined. I heat 
this till the whole mass becomes melted, shaking it gently. 
I then add 9 ounces of purified tin, and lastly, 2 ounces of 
lead ; or those proportions of the six metals may be used. 
When the mass is well fused, I pour the whole mass upon 
amarble slab. This melting and pouring should be repeat- 
ed twice, when the metal is finished by melting it and pour- 
ing it itno an iron mould, forming it into an ingot. This 
forms an alloy easily fusible, tasteless, not deleterious to 
the health, and with which teeth-plates may be made and 
attached to the teeth permanently and effectually by sim- 
ply melting the alloy and pouring it into a plaster cast, 
commonly used by dentists in vulcanizing a set of rubber 
teeth. 

373J221, Carroll, Nov. 15, 1887 

An object of my invention is to produce an alloy possess- 
ing lightness, stiffness, and strength, and capable of re- 
ceiving a high polish, durable, and unoxidizable in the 
several uses for which it is designed. 

In the employment of pure aluminium for the formation 
of crowns, bridges, or dental plates for the upper arch or 
jaw, where lightness of construction and specific gravity, 
as well as durability, are required, I have found by experi- 
ment that the tendency which said metal has to contract in 
cooling renders the casting of the said dentures at a single 
cast very unsatisfactory and partially impracticable and 
injurious to the mounted teeth. 

To render the aluminium of practical value in casting 
and counteract is tendency to contract in cooling. I use 

301 



aluminium alloyed with silver and copper in such propor- 
tions to the aluminium as to counteract the contracting 
tendenecy of the aluminium, and thus establish an equilib- 
rium of contraction and expansion in the alloy, which in- 
sures a perfect cast in the matrix which I desire to fill, 
thereby avoiding the fracture of any porcelain or artificial 
teeth that I may have mounted by the cotnraction of the 
pure aluminium if used alone. To overcome said difficulties 
and secure the valuable inherent properties of aluminium 
I find, after many experiments, that aluminium, silver, and 
copper combined in about the proportions hereinafter 
stated form an alloy possessing the properties and char- 
acteristics desired, although these proportions may be 
slightly varied and still subserve the same purpose, viz. : 
aluminium, 90 to 93 parts; silver, 5 to 9 parts; copper, 
1 part. 

617,359, Samsioe, Jan, 10, 1899 

It has been customary to provide artificial teeth at the 
back with a plate of gold or platinum. It has been difficult, 
and in many cases impossible to secure an accurate fit. Ac- 
cording to this invention a new alloy, by means of which 
a very accurate fit can be secured, is produced. 

The said alloy consists of about 84 per cent, of tin, 15 
per cent, of silver, y 2 per cent, of gold, and % per cent, of 
platinum. 

This alloy is used only in the form of pieces (as cubes 
or balls), and not in the finely divided or amalgamated 
state. It is fused over a Bunsen flame when used. 

624,605, Allen, May 9, 1899 

. This invention contemplates the production of a new 
metallic compound or alloy for use in various arts where 
such a compound is desirable and where it can be ad- 
vantageously employed. 

One of the uses designed for the new compound or alloy 
is in connection with dental operations, the compound or 

302 



alloy to this end being possessed of advantages in the direc- 
tion of lightness of weight, comparative great strength 
and rigidity, and is inexpensive, and is capable of being- 
made into castings, snch as dentures, which are free from 
flaws and other weakening defects. 

The metallic compound or alloy consists of the follow- 
ing elements or ingredients, to wit: aluminium, platinum, 
and iridium. The relative proportions of these metals may 
vary as circumstances require; but I have found that the 
following proportions give good results: aluminium from 
96 to 97% grains; platinum, from 2 to 3 grains; iridium, 
from y 8 to 2 grains. 

The variation in the proportion of iridium is governed 
by requirements as to color and rigidity — as, for instance, 
if an alloy very light in color is desired y 8 of a grain of 
iridium will answer to give the proper result, whereas if 
a very hard and rigid alloy is demanded 1 to 2 grains of 
this metal is the proper proportion. In either event from 
2 to 3 grains of platinum are employed, together with the 
stated proportion of aluminium. 

The above-described metallic compound or alloy 
possesses advantages which render it especially valuable 
for use in making upper and loAver complete and partial 
dentures, crowns, bridges, and the like employed in den- 
tistry, for, in addition to its comparative lightness, great 
strength, and rigidity, it is practically non-corrosive and 
very durable. The elements or ingredients readily com- 
bine with each other and produce a compound which is low 
in fusion, thereby insuring economy both in the production 
of the compound and in the manufacture of the articles 
for which it is especially designed to be employed. 

The presence of iridium in the relative proportion of 
from 1 to 2 grains gives to the compound or alloy a degree 
of hardness and rigidity approximating that of steel and 
steel alloys, and with this proportion of iridium present 
the compound or alloy may be employed to advantage in 
lieu of the metal and alloys named by reason of the addi- 



303 



tional quality of lightness and of being comparatively low 
in fusion and non-corrosive. 

1M3,576, Eldred, Nov 5, 1912 

Metals of the iron group can be united in an absolute 
and perfect manner with platinum, so that the joined 
metals can be worked by rolling, drawing, swaging, etc. 
This is done by assembling of a body of platinum which 
may be in the form of a tube, bar or plate in contact with 
the other metal and then cautiously raising the tempera- 
ture of said other metal until the surface thereof is in 
superficial fusion with the production of a film of liquified 
metal. This film wets the surface of the platinum and en- 
ters into absolute molecular contact therewith. 

Any convenient or controllable method of heating may 
be employed, but since it is desirable to produce a rapid 
rise in temperature, a flame fed with oxygen or enriched 
air is preferred. For making coated wire the platinum 
should be employed as a tube and the other metal as a 
closely fitting core. Where double-faced articles are de- 
sired, it is preferable to apply the two layers of platinum r 
one after the other. 

For making pins, as anchors for artificial teeth, a core 
of nickel is desirable. For making leading-in wires for 
incandescent lamps, a core of nickel steel is preferable. 
For spark contact points, plugs and rivets, a foundation of 
nickel is used. 

I claim : 

1. The process of uniting platinum with stiff and strong- 
metals which comprises assembling contaching bodies of 
platinum, and a stiff and strong metal, the contact being 
between major surfaces, raising the heat by heating 
through said platinum until said stiff and strong metal 
superficially liquefies and forms a wetting union with said 
platinum, and then quickly arresting said heating 

See U. S. Patent 1,096,655 on page 187. 

304 



1,107,180, Von Oefele (Assigned one-half to Schweitzer) , 
• Aug. 11, 1914 

This invention relates to alloys of vanadium, especially 
to that class in which the vanadium enters into combina- 
tion with precious metals as for instance, gold, platinum, 
etc. 

A further object of the invention is the process for the 
production of aforesaid alloys. 

Heretofore alloys of iron, aluminium, copper and nickel 
with vanadium have become known and were used for 
various purposes in the trade. Alloys or mechanical com- 
binations of vanadium and gold have heertofore never 
been made nor have they been described in any publication. 

The alloy resulting from the process according to the 
present invention is much harder than any alloy of precious 
metals at present on the market and is therefore very well 
adapted for the use of dentists, etc., especially for coining 
purposs. Coins made of such an alloy are very well adapt- 
ed to stand the wear to which gold coins for instance are 
daily subjected. Thej do not lose any of their value dur- 
ing their circulation and thus a considerable saving for the 
respective Governments is assured which is of the highest 
importance, especially in countries where gold coins are 
the chief means of exchange. 

I include into my invention alloys of gold-alloys of any 
description with vanadium, alloys of vanadium-alloys of 
any description with gold, and also alloys of gold-alloys 
of any description with vanadium-alloys of any description. 

Vanadium alloys especially considered in my invention 
are composed of vanadium with precious metals, such as 
gold, platinum, etc., and common metals, such as iron, alu- 
minium, copper or nickel. 

I claim : 

1. As a new article an alloy of gold Avith a vanadium 
allov- 



305 



2. As a new ai'ticle an alloy of gold-vanadium with 
other metals. 

3. As a new article an alloy of a gold combination 
with a vanadium alloy. 

1,101,181, Von Oefele Aug. 11, 1914 

I have described and claimed in my copending;, applica- 
tion for patent Serial No. 654,005, filed Oct, 11, 1911, as a 
new and useful article, alloys of vanadium alloys with 
gold. Aside of the ordinary way of producing such alloys 
by melting the metallic constituents, there are other ways 
of obtaining a metallic regulus of a gold vanadium alloy. 

In my present application, I describe a method of pro- 
ducing vanadium gold alloys from vanadium compounds 
and gold preparations by using a chemical reducing agent 
as for example, carbon, and while I do not claim such 
method I consider the resulting alloy as the main object of 
my invention. 

The process is as follows: Chemical compounds of 
vanadium, such as of vanadium and oxygen, vanadium and 
sulphur, or vanadium and chlorine are mixed with a gold 
preparation of either chemical or physical character both 
parts preferably in finest subdivision, a chemical reducing 
agent, for example, carbon is added and the whole subject- 
ed to heat. The regulus obtained from the chemical con- 
stituents represents a gold vanadium alloy which is ob- 
tained by a chemical reduction, taking place before and 
at the time of the alloy formation. The alloys produced 
by my said process possess very favorable properties in 
regard to strength and wear, and the described process af- 
fords the preparation of gold vanadium alloys with or 
without the^ presence of other metals according to the 
number and chemical relation of the mixed ingredients. 

I claim : 

As a new article, an alloy of vanadium with gold. . 



30(5 



1,162, Slil, Coolidge {Assigned to General Electric Co.), 

Nov. 30, 1915 

This relates to a composite body of tungsten or molybde- 
num joined to a layer of a gold-platinum alloys, for ex- 
ample, a rod or wire coated with gold-platinum alloy. 

Gold containing about 1.5 per cent, of platinum is melt- 
ed in an alumina crucible in a hydrogen atmosphere, and 
the tungsten or molybdenum is dipped into the molten al- 
loy. The hydrogen prevents surface oxidation of the tung- 
sten or molybdenum, but enables the gold alloy to wet or 
adhere to the surface of the refractory metal. Other al- 
loying metals, as palladium, may also be added to the gold 
alloy to modify its hardness; or melting point. 

This coated article has the mechanical strength of tung- 
sten or molybdenum and is incorrodible and may be 
soldered or joined to other metals. While especially use- 
ful in dentistry this new article may be used in the chem- 
ical industry or wherever a substantially incorrodible, 
strong, resilient metal article is desired. 

I claim : 

1. A composite metal article comprising tungsten and 
a coating comprising an alloy of gold and platinum 
mechanically united to or wetting said tungsten. 

See U. S. Patent 1,169,753 on page 277. 
See U. S. Patent 1,229,960 on page 51. 
See U. S. Patent 1,236,384 on page 55. 

1 £52,038, Sandell {Assigned to Mills), Jan. 1, 1918 

My invention relates to improvements in alloys particu- 
larly to an alloy especially designed as a substitute for 
platinum in the dental arts as, for example, for use as a 
rivet for fillings in false teeth. 

My new alloy is prepared in the following manner : 

Ten parts by weight of tungsten is melted in an electric 
arc and to the molten mass there is added 7 parts by weight 

307 



of nickel and 3 parts by weight of powdered graphitic 
carbon. This mixture or alloy is permitted to set, re- 
melted in an electric furnace and to it there is added 80 
parts by weight of commercial gold as, for example, 18 
carat gold. The alloy is now complete. 

The melting point of this alloy is apparently about the 
same as that of platinum. Its tensile strength is high, it 
is malleable to such an extent as to make it adapted for 
most purposes, particularly in the dental art, for which 
platinum is now used, and it is not attacked by mineral 
acids. 

I claim : 

1. An alloy comprising 80 parts by weight of gold, 10 
parts by weight of tungsten, 7 parts by weight of nickel 
and a relatively small proportion of carbon. 

2. The method of alloying gold with tungsten and a 
lower melting-point metal which comprises, first, prepar- 
ing an alloy of the tungsten and lower melting-point metal 
in an electric arc, and subsequently alloying such primary 
alloy with gold. 



308 



BRITISH PATENTS 

Class 5. 

1,232 of 1857 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 16,784 on page 299. 

9,050 of 1890, Potter 

The pins of artificial porcelain teeth are made of an 
alloy of gold which will withstand the intense heat neces- 
sary in baking the teeth. A suitable alloy is composed 
of 16 parts of gold, 6 parts of silver, and 2 parts of plati- 
num. Another alloy is composed of 16 parts of gold, 5 
parts of silver, 2 parts of copper, and 1 part of platinum. 
These alloys can take the place of pure platinum. 

18,343 of 1890, Marston 

Pins or other attachments for artificial teeth are made 
of an alloy having a melting point at or below that of an 
alloy of 6 parts of platinum and 4 parts of nickel. Several 
alloys containing two or more of the following metals, 
namely: platinum, gold, iridium, palladium, silver, alu- 
minium, copper, nickel, and iron, are enumerated in the 
specification. Rhodium and osmium may also be used as 
well as ruthenium, zinc, tin, cadmium, manganese, cobalt 
or nickel. 

Some of the alloys are as follows : 1 part of platinum, 
2 parts of silver; 1 part of palladium, 3 parts of silver; 
6 parts of gold, 1 part of palladium, 18 parts of gold, 2 
parts of palladium, 1 of silver; 2 to 4 parts of palladium; 
1 of nickel; 1 part of palladium, 1 to 5 parts of nickel. 

309 



7^35 of 1898, Gartrell 

A dental plate is made up of two plates united together 
by heat and pressure, one of fine gold and the other of an 
alloy of 90 parts of silver and 10 parts of platinum. The 
alloy of silver and platinum prevents the silver from be- 
coming changed to silver sulphide during the vulcanizing 
of the rubber. A thick plate is made of the silver-platinum 
alloy and this is united to a plate of fine gold by heat and 
pressure. The two plates are placed together and heated 
to redness, pressure is then applied with a hydraulic press, 
and the combined piece of metal is afterwards rolled in a 
mill to the gauge desired. 



s* 



9,069, Samsioe, 1898 
This corresponds to U. S. Patent 617,359 on page 301. 

21J.70, Marston, 1900 

This invention has for its object the manufacture of 
teeth-adjuncts and metal dentures composed of alloys 
which are capable of withstanding without injury the com- 
mon treatment to which mineral teeth, and metal dentures 
are subjected in different processes of their manufacture, 
and afterwards in wear as substitutes for the natural or- 
gans of mastication. By a long series of experiments I 
have discovered the practical fitness possessed in alloys 
composed of gold and silver in variable proportions for 
furnishing mineral teeth with all kinds of pins, strips, 
loops, and other forms of anchorage for securing them in 
their proper places on their frames or plates which com- 
bined constitute partial or complete dentures. I am aware 
that all alloys of gold and silver have already been and 
are now being used for making dental plates ; but all those 
alloys have always contained copper or other oxidizable 
metal and for that reason could never be used for provid- 
ing mineral teeth with pins or other forms of anchorage. 
All gold alloys which have been used for making dental 

310 



plates, but which, however, could never be used in the 
making of pins and other forms of anchorage for mineral 
teeth, but have always resembled gold in color and it is 
commonly known that copper has always been used for 
imparting richness of color to alloys that are poor in gold, 
on the other hand alloys of gold and silver which I use 
for the purpose hereinbefore specified are distinguishable 
from ordinary gold alloys by the whiteness or comparative 
whiteness of their color. Now, whereas, no- white gold 
alloy has ever heretofore been used for making dental 
plates both the combination of these two metals, and its 
application to the purpose of my invention are alike. I 
am also aware that other persons have from time to time 
tried to terminate the necessity of using platinum in the 
making of pins of other adjuncts for mineral teeth, but all 
the alloys which those persons endeavored to use contained 
either methods which become oxidized by the action of air 
upon them at high temperatures or else the preparation 
of platinum, or some platinoid metal equally capable of 
causing brittleness, and other defectiveness rather than 
have unworkable and absolutely useless for that purpose. 
For this reason platinum tins have never been supplanted 
in the manufacture of mineral teeth. My discovery of the 
peculiar ductility, malleability, . tensile strength, indiffer- 
ence to oxygen at high temperature, inertness, and per- 
manency in wire possessed by the aforesaid alloys of gold 
and silver and my subsequent experimental application 
to them, to the purpose hereinbefore mentioned, proved 
that the necessity of using platinum for furnishing min- 
eral teeth with pins and other adjuncts, and for making 
metal dentures now no longer exists. From what has al- 
ready been said it is apparent that an addition of any 
metal which oxidizes when heated at high temperatures 
or of platinum, or any platinoid metal is positively in- 
jurious to the peculiar properties possessed by the com- 
binations of gold and silver and which properties are 
essential purpose of my invention. Pins, tubes, strips, 
loops, and other forms of anchorage, are preferably mould- 

311 



ed in the pasty raw teeth material during the portion of 
moulding the teeth, but they may be inserted in previously 
baked teeth by placing them in suitable cavities made for 
them and be securely fixed therein by. the fusion or the 
condensation of any suitable metallic or non-metallic sub- 
stance. For dental plates the gold and silver alloy is rolled 
into sheets and is made up by any of the methods used for 
making such appliances. I vary the proportions in which 
the gold and silver are presented to each other, according 
to the price paid for the mineral teeth the dentures or the 
metal, whichever are wanted. My invention comprises all 
preparations of gold and silver ranging from 10 per cent, 
of gold to 90 per cent, of silver, and from 10 per cent, of 
silver to 90 per cent, of gold. 

22JB31 of 190$, Siemens & Ealske Aktiengesellschaft. 

It has already been suggested that the supports, such 
as pins, claws or the like, for affixing artificial teeth to 
the natural root or to artificial carriers or mouth-plates 
should be made of tantalum or an alloy thereof. 

Pure tantalum and many alloys thereof have, however, 
a disadvantage that they possess very great affinity for 
most other materials when they are heated to a high tem- 
perature. For this reason it is extremely difficult to work 
this metal in the usual manner and to burn it into the arti- 
ficial teeth in the furnaces generally employed. 

According to the present invention in order to remove 
these disadvantages an alloy of nickel and tungsten is 
used for making these supports. A most suitable alloy 
has been found to consist of about 8 to 15 per cent, of 
nickel, for example, an alloy containing 10 per cent, of 
nickel shows a very high degree of ductility and possesses 
nearly all the good properties of tantalum; moreover it 
can be burnt comparatively easily into the artificial teeth 
in the furnaces. 



312 



8,327 of 1915, The British Thomson-Houston Company, 

Limited 

The present invention comprises a metal body consisting 
of tungsten or molybdenum and a layer of precious metal 
intimately united therewith which is useful for various 
purposes in the arts, as, for example, in dentistry. 

Dental crowns and bridges require pins or posts of in- 
corrodible metal, having good mechanical strength. For- 
merly, platinum-irridium alloy has been used for this pur- 
pose, but this alloy is very expensive and is softened at 
temperatures to which it must necessarily be subjected 
during the production of the completed crown. 

Tungsten and molybdenum in the ductile state possess 
the desired mechanical properties and will retain these 
properties even at relatively high temperatures. These 
metals although substantially incorrodible are not wet by 
gold, even when care is exercised to prevent oxidation, and 
hence difficulty is experienced in casting gold crowns 
against stems or posts of tungsten or molybdenum, or 
otherwise joining gold thereto. 

We have discovered that when a small amount of plati- 
num is alloyed with gold, the tungsten or molybdenum is 
wet by the molten alloy in an atmosphere of hydrogen and 
a firm union is produced. 

Our invention comprises a composite body consisting of 
tungsten or molybdenum joined to a layer of a gold-plati- 
num alloy as, for example, a rod or wire coated with gold- 
platinum alloy. The invention also comprises the method 
of coating an article of tungsten or molybdenum with an 
alloy containing gold and platinum, which consists in dip- 
ping the article in the molten alloy in an atmosphere of 
hydrogen. 

This new article of metal may be produced by melting 
gold containing about 1.5 per cent, of platinum in an 
alumina crucible in a hydrogen atmosphere and dipping 
the tungsten or molybdenum, for example, in the form of 
a rod or wire of ductile metal into the molten alloy. A 

313 



thin layer of gold platinum alloy will unite firmly with 
the tungsten or molybdenum. The hydrogen not only pre- 
vents surface oxidation of the tungsten or molybdenum, 
but also enables the gold alloy to wet or adhere to the 
surface of the refractory metal. Other alloying metals, 
such, for example, as palladium, may also be added to the 
gold alloy to modify its melting point or its hardness. 

The gold coated metal article is cheaper than platinum- 
iridium, as the mechanical strength of tungsten or molybde- 
num, and the gold coated surface is not only incorrodible, 
but may readily be soldered or otherwise joined to other 
metals. The good mechanical properties of tungsten or 
molybdenum, particularly toughness and springiness, are 
not lost at the high temperatures necessary for casting or 
soldering operations, say about 1000° to 1100° C. 

While especially useful in dentistry this new metal 
article is not limited to this particular field It may be 
used in the chemical industry or wherever substantially 
incorrodible, strong, resilient metal article is desired. 

104,025, Jackson, April 25, 1917 

An alloy, particularly for pins for artificial teeth, con- 
sists of platinum, palladium, and gold, the palladium and 
gold together being greatly in excess of the platinum, which 
is itself present in sufficient quantity to raise the melting 
point of the alloy above that of porcelain. The alloy may 
contain 15 to 20 parts of platinum, 30 to 35 parts of palla- 
dium, and 45 to 55 parts of gold; or these proportions may 
be slightly varied. Iridium, preferably not exceeding 2 
per cent, or a small proportion of osmium, ruthenium or 
rhodium mav be added. 



314 



ERBATIPT. 

Whenever a reference Is made to the 
number of any page of this l^ook, look at 
the following page instead. 



GENERAL INDEX 

Acm-Proof Alloys— 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, IS, 19, 22, 24, 
30, 34, 39, 44, 51, 52, 58, 59, 61, 65, 66, 69, 70, 72, 73, 
75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 89, 90, 93, 98, 99, 100, 
101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 111, 112, 113, 114, 
115, 117, 118, 163, 179, 180, 205, 255, 263, 264, 266, 267, 
270, 275, 278, 294, 306, 312, 313. 

Ar.KALi-Proof Alloys— 18, 68, 75, 78, 80, 81, 101, 104, 105, 205, 
255, 266. 

Aluminium, Alloys Containing— 8, 10, 23, 35, 45, 72, 73, 75, 
77, 84, 86, 89, 95, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 118, 119, 126, 
159, 171, 177, 185, 204, 229, 239, 241, 250, 252, 260, 264, 
265, 267, 268, 269, 272, 276, 280, 284, 288, 289, 290, 293, 
294, 295, 296, 301, 302, 304, 308. 

Ammonia, Alloys Resistant to 118 

Anti-Acid (See Acid-Proof) 

Anti-Alkali (See Alkali-Proof) 

Antimony, Alloys Containing— 12. 58, 75, 78, 99, 101, 118, 232, 
263, 288, 299. 

APPARATUS-Laboratory (See Acid-Proof; Alkali-Proof; Melt- 
ing- Point, Alloys Having Pligh) 

Arsenic, Alloys Containing - 237 

Aqua Regia, Alloys Only Soluble in or Insoluble therein — 9. 19, 
44, 62. 

Beryllium, Alloys Containing 65 

Bismuth, Alloys Containing 23, 75, 99, 108, 232, 299 

Boron. Alloys Containing 35, 46. 83, 243 

Cadmium, Alloys Containing— 102, 107, 108. 118, 237, 269, 272, 

290, 294, 296, 299. 

Calcium, Alloys Containing 65 

Carbon, Alloys Containing— 19, 42, 69, 82, 92, 106, 210, 211, 

214, 218, 226, 242, 249, 250. 306. 
Cerium, Alloys Containing 
Chemical Ware (See Acid-Proof; Alkali-Proof; Melting- 

Point, Alloys having high) 
Chromium— 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 25, 34, 35, 40, 45, 62, 65, 66. 

69, 70, 71, 74, 98, 102, 106, 109, 110, 115, 117, 118, 144, 

150, 154, 159, 163, 177, 179, 186, 194, 197, 201, 207, 214, 

315 



215, 223, 226, 22T, 228, 238, 247, 249, 255, 260, 264, 266, 
267, 268, 269, 270. 

Cobalt, Alloys Containing— 13, 25, 40, 46, 51, 54, 62, 70, 77, 
78, 85, 103, 109, 111, 112, 118, 151, 155, 160, 177, 179, 
205, 213, 215, 217, 223, 224, 227, 234, 253, 255, 267, 268, 
269, 272, 287. 

Concentration (See Acid-Proof ; Alkali-Proof) 

Contact Points (See Spark-Producing Apparatus, Alloys 
for) 

Copper, Alloys Containing— 8, 11, 20, 23, 34, 45, 58, 62, 65, 70, 
72, 73, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 89, 91, 99, 100, 101, 102, 
103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109, 112, 117. 118, 119, 126, 127, 
132, 133, 138, 139, 140, 150, 156, 161, 169, 171, 172, 
174, 188, 194, 196, 198, 204, 213, 220, 223, 224, 227, 229, 
233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 241, 248, 252, 263. 264, 
265, 267, 269, 276, 280, 283, 284, 286, 288, 289, 292, 293, 
294, 295, 296, 301, 304, 308. 

Crucibles (See Refractory Alloys) 

Dental, Alloys 278, 299 to 313 

Expansion, Coefficient of (See Leading-in-Wires) 

Gold, Alloys Containing— 23, 70, 73, 75, 116, 127, 134, 139, 165, 
167, 188, 215, 223, 224, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 264, 269, 
271, 276, 278, 280, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 293, 299, 301, 
304, 305, 306, 308, 309, 312. 

Hydrogen, Alloys Containing 9, 243 

Incandescent Lamps (See Leading-in Wires) 

Iridium, Alloys Containing— 70, 78, 100, 116, 223, 224, 269, 276, 

278. 302, 308. 

Iron, Alloys Containing— 9, 10, 11, 19, 31, 40, 51, 54, 62. 65, 
68, 70, 71, 72, 77, 78, 83, 84, 91, 92, 98, 102, 104, 105, 108, 
109, 110, 113, 115, 121, 126, 127, 131, 145, 150, 152, 163, 
170, 171, 172, 185, 186, 196, 200, 214, 217, 220, 226, 227, 
228, 233, 239, 242, 243, 246, 248, 249, 250, 252, 253, 255, 
259, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 276, 284, 287, 293, 303, 
304, 308. 

Jewelry 52, 187, 223, 229, 274-299 

Laboratory (See Acid-Proof; Alkali-Proof; Melting-Point ; 
Alloys having high) 

316 



Lead, Alloys Containing— 12, 58, 75, 78, 89, 99, 100, 104, 119, 

161, 237, 238, 263, 265, 269, 299. 
Leading-In Wires 121 to 152, 158, 228, 303 

Magnesium, Alloys Containing— 11, 65, 75, 77, 89, 105, 107, 

227, 264, 269, 288, 295, 296. 
Magnetos (See Spark-Producing Apparatus) 
Manganese, Alloys Containing— 8, 19, 20, 35, 45, 62, 65, 75, 78, 

82, 85, 89, 91, 102, 119, 144, 151, 156, 163, 169, 170, 172, 

174, 198, 204, 220, 223, 226, 237, 238, 239, 242, 247, 268, 

255, 266, 283, 286, 288, 289, 296. 
Melting-Point, Alloys having high (See Refractory Alloys) 

Mercury, Alloys Containing 269 

Molybdenum, Alloys Containing — 12, 15, 25, 30, 34, 42, 52, 55, 

70, 78, 110, 113, 115, 154, 179, 187, 207, 215, 231, 264, 267, 

269. 306, 312. 

Nickel, Alloys Containing— 8, 16, 19, 30, 34, 40, 45, 51, 52, 58, 
59, 62, 65, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 75, 77, 78, 79, 82, 85, 91, 99, 
102, 103, 104. 105, 106, 108, 110, 111, 114, 118, 119, 121, 
122, 126, 127, 131, 138, 139, 142, 145, 150, 151, 152, 154, 
156, 159, 161, 163, 167, 169, 171, 172, 174, 177, 194, 196, 
198, 201, 205, 211, 217, 218, 220, 224, 226, 227, 228, 229, 

234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 242, 246, 252, 253, 255, 259, 
260, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 272, 276, 284, 
286, 287, 288, 293, 294, 295, 296, 304, 306, 308, 311. 

Niobium, Alloys Containing •. . . 86, 95, 215 

Non-Corrosive Alloys (See Acid-Proof ; Non-Oxidizing) 
Non-Oxidizing Alloys (Except Acid-Proof) — 11, 12, 15, 19, 
22, 24, 34, 39, 40, 41, 44, 51, 52, 62, 70, 73, 75, 77, 78, 81, 
85, 90, 91, 93, 99, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 114, 118, 147, 
155, 156, 158, 159, 161, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 174, 177, 
179, 185, 186, 187, 194, 196, 197, 198, 200, 205, 209, 214, 
215, 217, 219, 220, 223, 224, 226, 227, 228, 229, 233, 234, 

235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 246, 247, 248, 
249, 250, 251, 253, 255, 259, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268. 
269, 270, 271, 272, 278, 288, 294, 300, 301, 309. 

Osmium, Alloys Containing— 65, 70, 116, 215, 239, 269, 274, 

276, 278, 294, 313. 
Oven (See Melting-Point ; Alloys having high) 
Ozone, Alloys Resistant to 70 

Palladium, Alloys Containing— 70, 75, 116, 191, 213, 215, 223, 
224, 233, 234, 235, 237, 238, 265, 269, 276, 278, 284, 308, 
313 

Phosphorus, Alloys Containing— 19, 77, 89, 100, 107, 119, 241, 
265. 

Pipes (See Acid-Proof; Alkali-Proof) 

317 



Platinum, Alloys Containing— 23, 58, 65, 70, 72, 78, 100, 116, 
122, 127, 138, 139, 147, 152, 165, 187, 188, 213, 223, 224, 
228, 232, 234, 235,- 236, 237, 238, 240, 248, 267, 269, 271, 
274, 276, 278, 284, 293, 299, 301, 302, 303, 304, 306, 308. 
309, 312. 
Pumps (Acid Proof) (See Acid-Proof) 
Pyrometer (See Melting-Point ; Alloys having high) 

Refractory Alloys— 19, 27, 34, 44, 51, 52, 62, 69, 75, 78, 81, 
85,93, 114, 155, 158, 161, 163, 169, 174, 177, 181, 187, 194, 
196, 197, 209, 214, 215, 219, 220, 224, 226, 227, 228, 229, 
242, 247, 248, 249, 255, 259, 260, 263, 266, 267, 268. 271. 

Resistant ( See Acid-Proof ; Alkali-Proof ; Non-Oxidizing ; 
Melting-Point, Alloys Having) 

Rhodium, Alloys Containing— 70, 116, 215, 223. 224, 237, 269, 
276, 278, 313. 

Rust (See Non-Oxidizing Alloys) 

Ruthenium, Alloys Containing— 70, 116, 215, 269, 276, 278, 313 

Silex, Alloys Containing 232 

Silicon, Alloys Containing— 11, 19, 23, 35, 45, 65, 71, 81, 115, 

162, 170, 214, 217, 227, 240, 249, 250, 253, 260, 264, 267, 

268. 
Silver, Alloys Containing— 58, 70, 72, 73, 75, 77, 99, 104, 110 

111, 112, 113, 127, 134, 139, 147, 150, 165, 167, 188, 191, 

212, 215, 223, 224, 227, 232, 234, 235, 237, 238, 264, 269, 

286, 289, 290, 294, 295, 296, 299, 301, 308, 309. 
Spark-Producing Apparatus, Alloys Suitable for — 19, 22, 34, 44, 

51, 52, 62, 69, 75, 85, 88, 97, 114, 154 to 274, 278, 303, 309. 
Steel— 8, 68, 98, 102, 138, 140, 142, 223, 227, 229, 234, 235, 

239, 264, 270. 
Sulphuric Acid, Alloys Resistant to— 9, 10, 22, 35, 37, 62, 66. 

208, 255, 278. 

Tanks (Acid-Proof) (See Acid-Proof Alloys) 

Tantalltm, Alloys Containing 86, 95, 114, 215 

TARNISH-Proof (See Non-Oxidizing Alloys) 

Tellurium, Alloys Containing 162, 170 

Thermal Expansion (See Leading-In Wires) 

Thorium, Alloys Containing 215 

Tin, Alloys Containing— 58, 72, 73, 75, 77, 81, 89, 100, 101, 102. 
103, 104, 105, 109, 118, 203, 232, 237, 238, 239, 263, 265, 
268, 269, 272, 276, 284, 287, 288, 290, 294, 299. 301. 
Titanium, Alloys Containing— 35, 46, 86, 94, 207, 215, 220, 264 

Tooth Pins 52, 57, 303, 306, 309, 311 

Tungsten, Alloys Containing— 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, 51, 
55, 59, 62, 70, 98, 103, 106, 107, 154, 179, 187, 208, 215, 
218, 224, 227, 231, 234, 239, 241, 249, 264, 267, 269, 272, 
286, 288, 293, 294, 295, 296, 306, 311, 312. 

318 



Uranium, Alloys Containing— 12, 15, 154, 179, 208, 264, 267 

Valves (Acid-Proof) (See Acid-Proof Alloys) 
Vanadium, Alloys Containing— 20, 62, 91, 106, 215, 264, 265, 
270, 304, 305. 

Wire (See Leading-In Wires) 

Wireless Apparatus (See Spark-Producing Apparatus) 

Zinc, Alloys Containing— 8, 11, 20, 62, 72, 73, 75, 77, 78, 80, 89, 
99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 107, 108, 156, 238, 263, 265, 267, 
283, 286, 287, 295. 

Zirconium, Alloys Containing 84, 92, 205, 215, 264 



319 



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